Chaos followed South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s shocking decision to impose an “emergency martial law” in an unannounced late-night address on Tuesday, as he accused the opposition parties of destabilising the government by supporting communist North Korean forces. The move sparked an international alarm and brought painful memories of the previous martial law imposed in 1980.
Under martial law, Yoon sought to ban protests and activity by parliament and political parties, while placing the media under government control. The National Assembly Parliament became the focal point of nationwide outrage, as troops clashed with angry protesters. The South Korean won plunged to a new low as the political crisis escalated over a budget bill.
However, Yoon was forced to call off martial law after lawmakers in the parliament voted to reject the move, including members of Yoon’s own conservative People Power Party. The main opposition Democratic Party has called for Yoon to either resign or face impeachment charges.
A Timeline Of South Korea’s Biggest Crisis In Decades
7:30 pm Indian time (Tuesday) – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, accusing opposition parties of taking the parliamentary process hostage. “I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” he said.
8:00 pm – The entrance of the South Korean Parliament was blocked and lawmakers were barred from entry following Yoon’s decision. Opposition members vowed to nullify the President’s martial law. Parliament Speaker Woo Won Shik said he was en route to the Parliament to convene a session, vowing to protect democracy by opposing the martial law declaration. The won fell sharply to a two-year low as financial markets crumbled.
8:30 pm – Yoon’s predecessor Moon Jae-in criticised the decision and said the country’s democracy is in crisis. South Korea’s martial command forces were seen entering the parliamentary premises at midnight. Yoon’s own party leader called the move unconstitutional.
9:30 pm – People started gathering outside the Parliament and chanted slogans, demanding President Yoon to withdraw his emergency martial law, as military troops made their way through the crowd to enter the National Assembly. South Korean Parliament passed a motion requiring the martial law to be lifted.
10:00 pm – Thousands of people gathered at the Parliament premises, demanding President Yoon to be impeached. “Lift martial law, protect democracy,” protesters chanted. Opposition members set up a barricade to block soldiers from entering the National Assembly.
10:40 pm – Opposition Democratic Party called Yoon’s move to declare martial law “essentially a coup d’état” and asked for an immediate reversal of the move. Leaders of UN member countries, including the US, France and Britain, said separately that they were watching the developments in South Korea.
11:00 pm – Large-scale protests against Yoon’s decision continued as protesters clashed with police outside the Parliament gates. White House National Security Council spokesperson said the US was not notified in advance of Yoon’s declaration. Won continued to plunge.
12:00 am – Yoon’s own conservative People Power Party urged him to quickly lift martial law following a parliamentary vote against the decree, as protests continued outside the Parliament. Troops were seen entering the Parliament building through smashed buildings.
1:00 am – Yoon announced that he would reverse his decision to impose martial law following a standoff with lawmakers as the parliament rejected his decree. He said martial law command forces had withdrawn and a cabinet meeting would be held soon. Protesters rejoiced at his move and chanted, “We won!”
1:30 am – South Korea’s Cabinet agrees to lift martial law. Opposition parties said they would initiate impeachment proceedings against Yoon and called on him to resign. Protesters started to head home after Yoon’s announcement calling off martial law.
3:30 am – The White House said it was relieved that Yoon reversed course over a martial law declaration in South Korea. “Democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance, and we will continue to monitor the situation,” a spokesperson said.
5:00 am – The main opposition Democratic Party called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment. “Resign immediately! It is the people’s order!” floor leader Park Chan-dae said in a statement as a coalition of lawmakers from all opposition parties said they planned to propose an impeachment bill within 72 hours.
6:30 am – Yoon’s chief of staff and senior secretaries offered to resign en masse, a presidential official said. Rallies calling for the resignation of the President began in the early hours of Wednesday. South Korea’s largest union coalition, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said tens of thousands of its members plan to stage an indefinite strike until Yoon resigns.
7:30 am – Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s trip to Seoul this week has been postponed due to recent developments, a spokesperson for the prime minister said. “We have been in contact with South Korea this morning, and will now work together to find a new time for the visit in the future,” the spokesperson said.
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