Failure of martial law could put South Korean president's position at risk
After President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, the South Korean National Assembly held an emergency meeting at 0:49 on December 4 to pass a resolution requesting the lifting of martial law.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's shocking late-night declaration of martial law has brought years of conflict with opposition politicians, the media and even his own conservative party to a head and left his political future uncertain, Reuters reported on December 4.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has promised to rescind the order after the National Assembly voted to block the move. The South Korean Defense Ministry said martial law would remain in place until President Yoon lifts it.
Mr Yoon won a landslide victory in the most closely fought presidential election in South Korea's history in 2022 amid a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals and a gender war, reshaping the political future of Asia's fourth-largest economy.
During his confirmation hearing for defense minister in September, Kim Yong-hyun, then head of President Yoon's security forces, dismissed suggestions by opposition lawmakers that his appointment was part of preparations to declare martial law.
President Yoon's move comes as South Korea tries to shore up its position ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Trump is said to have clashed with President Yoon's predecessor over trade and payments for US troops stationed in South Korea.
“For a president who is so focused on South Korea’s international reputation, this makes South Korea look very unstable,” said Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. “It will have a negative impact on financial and currency markets as well as South Korea’s diplomatic standing in the world.”
Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the US-based Stimson Center, said the move appeared “desperate and dangerous” and could signal the beginning of the end for Mr Yoon’s presidency. “He’s already unpopular, but this could be the last straw that pushes the impeachment process forward,” she said.
Rep. Cho Kuk, a former justice minister and presidential assistant for civil affairs, said President Yoon “declared martial law illegally and this is grounds for impeachment.” The lawmaker said this was a national crisis and asked prosecutors to immediately arrest Yoon and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Under the constitution, the president must comply after parliament requests that martial law be lifted. However, it is unclear whether that will happen. The martial law decree, which Mr. Yoon issued before lawmakers voted, stipulates that political activity and parliament are banned.
