{"id":2207381,"date":"2024-12-04T11:49:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T02:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207381"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:49:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T02:49:21","slug":"south-korea-grapples-with-fallout-from-presidents-martial-law-declaration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/south-korea-grapples-with-fallout-from-presidents-martial-law-declaration\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea grapples with fallout from president\u2019s martial law declaration"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s <\/span>imposition<\/span><\/a> of martial law, although brief, has sent shockwaves throughout the country, raising urgent questions about the limits of executive power, the military\u2019s role in governance and the future stability of its democratic institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n In a televised address late on Tuesday, Yoon justified his declaration citing the alleged threat of \u201canti-state forces\u201d \u2014 primarily opposition lawmakers \u2014 undermining the nation\u2019s liberal constitutional order.<\/span><\/p>\n The president alleged that the opposition had abused impeachment powers against 22 government officials since the start of his administration. He also accused lawmakers of weaponizing the budget process by slashing funds for national security, disaster relief and public welfare, thereby \u201ccrippling essential state functions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This marked the first martial law declaration in South Korea since <\/span>1979<\/span><\/a>, when General Chun Doo-hwan seized power in the wake of President Park Chung-hee\u2019s assassination.<\/span><\/p>\n Following Yoon\u2019s address, security forces stormed the National Assembly, clashing with parliamentary staff as lawmakers worked to convene an emergency session. In a rare display of unity, 190 lawmakers, including 17 ruling People Power Party lawmakers, <\/span>voted unanimously<\/span><\/a> to nullify the martial law declaration, effectively ending its implementation within hours.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the episode has left South Korea in a state of political turmoil and has raised the serious possibility of Yoon\u2019s impeachment before week\u2019s end. The president\u2019s ouster would have a significant impact on the country\u2019s domestic politics, governance, foreign policy and the economy, making this crisis one of the most consequential in South Korea\u2019s modern democratic history.<\/span><\/p>\n