South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol quickly withdrew a martial law order on Wednesday after fierce political and public backlash.
Backlash Forces a Reversal
Opposition leaders denounced the martial law declaration as unconstitutional and pledged to fight it. Parliament promptly passed a motion demanding Yoon revoke the order. Dramatic scenes unfolded as parliamentary staff used fire extinguishers to repel armed forces attempting to enter the National Assembly.
Hours later, Yoon’s ruling People Power Party also urged him to reverse the decision, citing the parliamentary vote. By 4:30 a.m. local time, Yoon’s Cabinet approved a motion to lift martial law, according to Yonhap News Agency.
“Democracy is foundational to the U.S.-ROK alliance, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” a White House spokesperson said after Yoon reversed the order.
Yoon’s surprise decree followed an intense political standoff between his party and the opposition over a budget bill. His party suffered a major loss in April’s parliamentary elections, with the opposition securing nearly two-thirds of the seats.
In a televised address, Yoon defended the declaration, claiming it was necessary to protect South Korea from North Korean threats and anti-state forces. However, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung warned of economic collapse and urged citizens to rally at the National Assembly.
Historic Echoes and Political Fallout
Yoon’s declaration was the first martial law order in South Korea in over 40 years. The last instance was under dictator Chun Doo-Hwan in 1980 after a military coup. Since then, South Korea has emerged as a thriving democracy and economic powerhouse.
Critics condemned Yoon’s actions, with many calling for his resignation. The Democratic Party, South Korea’s largest opposition group, announced plans to introduce an impeachment motion. Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions vowed to strike until Yoon stepped down.
Yoon’s chief of staff and several senior aides have already resigned, according to reports.
Experts believe Yoon’s low popularity and the opposition’s strength contributed to the decision to declare martial law. Syd Seiler, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described it as a “back-to-the-future scenario.”
Despite the turmoil, the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains strong. A U.S. official confirmed no advance notice of the martial law declaration but noted that military relations are unlikely to be affected. The U.S. maintains about 28,000 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korea.
The political fallout highlights the deep divisions in South Korea’s government and the lingering scars of its authoritarian past. The opposition appears determined to hold Yoon accountable as protests and calls for his impeachment continue.
