What is Martial Law? Know Why Was It Implemented in South Korea

Martial law in South Korea is the state of military governance that the president can declare during emergencies such as war or major national threats. This extraordinary measure suspends civilian legal procedures and grants military authority over civil administration.

Recent Declaration of Martial Law

On December 3, 2024, the South Korean president declared martial law, the first in more than 40 years, as threats from "anti-state forces" escalated and the main opposition party was accused of "eroding confidence in the state apparatus" by sympathizing with North Korea. According to BBC, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced during an address on a late-night TV show, wherein he said the activities of the opposition have paralyzed state affairs and pose a danger to national security.

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Key Characteristics of the Declaration

Suspension of Civil Rights: During martial law, normal civil rights are usually suspended. This involves the prohibition of freedom of speech, assembly, and the press. The military is allowed to dominate media houses and political activities.

Military Rule: The declaration provides for military control over public order and government, meaning that civil authority is substituted by military rule during the declaration of emergency.

Historical Background: This is the first declaration of martial law since 1980 in South Korea, whose political history is marred by a lot of periods under military rule due to political upheavals.

On-the-Spot Responses

The announcement sparked widespread protests and condemnation from opposition leaders and citizens alike. Many viewed it as an unconstitutional attempt to consolidate power amid Yoon's declining popularity and political struggles following significant losses in recent elections. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called for mass mobilization against what he termed an undemocratic move.

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Legislative Response

Just hours later, opposition party members of parliament convened an emergency session and voted unanimously to annul the martial law declaration. The speed at which this was achieved demonstrated how resilient South Korea's democratic institutions and the public are against authoritarian measures.

President Yoon's declaration of martial law has highlighted high political tensions within South Korea, showing that the current ruling party is not only struggling to maintain control but also fighting with opposition factions. 

When President Yoon argued that this move was necessary for national security, the speed of reaction and reversal demonstrated a strong democratic governance among South Koreans. As of now, the situation is fluid and changes as political forces continue to adjust to such unprecedented occurrences.

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