South Korea has recently been thrown into turmoil after a startling and short-lived move by President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law. Last Wednesday, the police made headlines by trying to raid Yoon’s office as part of an investigation into possible insurrection charges against him. While his party claims he plans to transfer power to the prime minister and the party chief, critics argue that this amounts to an unconstitutional “second coup.” Interestingly, in a sign of how far the country has come since the days of military rule in the 1980s, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung first thought Yoon’s declaration was a deep-fake, and later dismissed it as “absurd.”
Yoon attempted to justify martial law by alleging a threat from “despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces” — essentially, his political opponents. While some conservatives share his severe distrust of the left, seeing them as too close to Pyongyang, most people were left with the impression that Yoon’s drastic decision was more about his impulsive leadership style. A political outsider who gained fame as a leading anti-corruption prosecutor, Yoon has faced criticism, particularly concerning his wife’s behavior and legislative barriers to his policies. Despite low approval ratings, he apparently believed public support was on his side. However, within six hours, he had to backtrack.
South Korea’s journey toward democracy has been neither smooth nor straightforward, and concerns about “democratic decay” are rising, fueled by a deeply divided political landscape and a preference for legal battles over political discourse. (It’s worth noting that Lee from the Democratic party is also entangled in several legal cases). Yoon already had a reputation for authoritarianism, and during his tenure, press freedom notably decreased.
While South Korea’s institutional safeguards have held up to some extent, questions about the military’s stance linger, especially since they didn’t arm troops to stop legislators from rejecting martial law. Yet, it’s the public’s long-standing commitment to democracy that’s been the real guardian of their freedoms through the years.
This ongoing crisis is tarnishing the reputation of a nation that has emerged from poverty and the ashes of war to become a major player in global trade, investment, and technology, as well as a rare example of democratic success in Asia. Furthermore, South Korea’s role in regional and international security is significant. Meanwhile, North Korea wasted no time in criticizing Yoon, claiming he has loosed the “guns of dictatorship.”
After Yoon’s martial law declaration, a staggering 70% of the population called for his impeachment. However, his People Power Party abstained from last week’s vote, putting party priorities over national interests, something that won’t be easily overlooked. If PPP members are serious about their political future, supporting impeachment in the upcoming vote is crucial. With Yoon just two years into his five-year term, he’s less of a “lame duck” and more of a “dead duck.” Instead of pondering a “resignation roadmap,” the call is for immediate elections.
South Korea faces challenging security issues, amplified by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, military movements in Ukraine, and the possibility of Donald Trump’s return to political prominence, as he demands much more financial support for hosting U.S. troops in Seoul. Economically, Trump’s tariffs add another pressure. Domestically, South Korea is grappling with issues like inequality, sluggish growth, rising living costs, and an ageing population. In these times, credible political leadership is crucial. The South Korean people value democracy deeply and deserve the opportunity to exercise it fully.
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