South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stunned the world by abruptly declaring martial law in response to “pro-North Korea elements” on Wednesday — only to back down in the face of swift domestic and international backlash.

While the crisis was short-lived, it marked a disturbing departure from democratic norms in a nation that emerged from authoritarian rule just decades ago. This came from a leader who recently championed the importance of “freedom” some 39 times in a single speech.