South Korea in turmoil after martial law declaration and swift reversal

There are calls for dismissals in the South Korean government. It's after President Yoon Suk Yeol surprise martial law declaration sparked chaos in Seoul on Tuesday. It lead to mass protests and clashes outside the National Assembly.

South Korea Faces Political Crisis After President’s Martial Law Declaration

Thousands of people took to the streets in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, in response to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of martial law. The move, which was swiftly reversed within hours, sparked the largest political crisis in decades for the nation, Asia's fourth-largest economy.

The declaration, which saw the military take control of civilian authorities in response to what President Yoon described as internal threats, triggered immediate backlash. Yoon’s decision to impose martial law was overturned after the South Korean parliament, in a rare move, unanimously voted to lift the decree.

Following the National Assembly’s demand, Yoon announced the withdrawal of martial law troops. “I will accept the National Assembly's demand and lift martial law through a cabinet meeting,” he said in a televised address.

Call for Resignations and Accountability

As political tensions mount, the ruling People Power Party has called for the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the entire cabinet. Opposition lawmakers have condemned the president’s actions, accusing him of abusing his power. The Democratic Party, the main opposition group, has labeled the martial law declaration as a breach of constitutional order and is calling for stronger measures to hold Yoon accountable.

The Democratic Party’s Floor Leader, Park Chan-dae, stated, “Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon can no longer run the country normally.”

Protests Continue, Public Remains Anxious

By Wednesday morning, protests continued outside the National Assembly, with South Korea’s largest labor union group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, leading the demonstrations. Union leaders have vowed to keep protesting until President Yoon resigns, citing the uncertainty and fear caused by the martial law declaration.

Many South Koreans expressed concerns about the future in the wake of the unprecedented move. A Seoul resident, 39-year-old Kim Byeong-in, described the experience as something out of a movie. “I realized how much more serious it is than I had imagined. The current economic condition is difficult, and the fact that the president is causing such anxiety among residents makes the situation so much worse,” he said. “I’m deeply disturbed by this kind of situation, and I’m very concerned about the future of the country.”

Fifty-year-old Seoul resident Gang He-Soo also expressed fear over the situation. “Last night, I happened to wake up from my sleep and came across the news. At first, I was scared and very confused. I kept thinking, 'What is going on? Is this something that could actually happen in this era?' I couldn't sleep until the martial law was lifted because I was so frightened,” he shared.

Economic Impact and Ongoing Uncertainty

The political unrest is also affecting South Korea’s financial markets, with the won hitting a two-year low and stocks taking a significant hit. Although the government has promised measures to stabilize the economy, the political turmoil continues to undermine public confidence and create uncertainty for both residents and investors.

As protests persist and the call for Yoon’s resignation grows louder, the country faces an uncertain future as it grapples with the aftermath of the martial law declaration and the ongoing political crisis.

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