What we know about South Korea’s martial law

The unexpected move by President Yoon Suk Yeol - the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea in more than four decades - alarmed the US. What might come next?

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday said he would lift martial law just hours after he imposed it, in a brief and confusing episode in which he blasted the opposition as “anti-state forces” threatening the country’s democracy.

The unexpected move from Yoon — the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea in more than four decades — alarmed the United States and the country’s other allies.

What do we know about the imposition, its lifting and what might come next?

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. Picture: Handout / South Korean Presidential Office / AFP

What was the declaration?

In a dramatic, late-night emergency television address to the nation, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law in South Korea, as he accused the opposition of paralysing the government with “anti-state activities”.

A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief General Park An-su swiftly followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda”, strikes and “gatherings that incite social unrest”.

The order also brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law and directed all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours.

Lee Jae-myung, center, the opposition leader, speaking at the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday. Picture: Jung Yeon-je / AFP

What happened at parliament?

Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the building for a short time, seemingly in a bid to prevent politicians from getting inside.

But 190 politicians managed to enter and voted unanimously to reject Yoon’s declaration and call for martial law to be lifted.

Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered, many raising chants calling for Yoon to be arrested.

Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4. Picture: Jung Yeon-je / AFP

What happened next?

Following the politicians’ vote, Yoon backed down. His cabinet additionally approved the motion to lift the order, Yonhap news agency reported.

“Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations,” Yoon said in a televised address around 4:30am (1930 GMT Tuesday).

Under South Korea’s constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected.

Why did Yoon do this?

Yoon said he was acting to safeguard his country’s liberal democracy from “anti-state elements” and “threats posed by North Korea” — but gave little detail.

While unexpected, the announcement came in the context of a festering budget row between Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party.

The opposition has slashed around 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon’s proposed 677 trillion won budget for next year, prompting the president to complain that “all key budgets essential to the nation’s core functions” were being cut.

“What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular, ineffectual leader and he is having a hard time getting any kind of public support for anything he’s trying to do,” said Alan Yu, a former US diplomat in Asia now at the Center for American Progress.

“The use of martial law feels almost like a desperation move to try to break out, both in a political and policy sense, but it is really poorly played on both fronts.”

What has the reaction been?

South Korea is a key Western ally in Asia, seen as an important democratic bulwark in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes, and the drama is being watched with concern.

Washington had voiced “grave concern” about the situation and called for it to be resolved “peacefully and in accordance with the law”, while Britain and Germany both said they were closely following developments.

China, a key ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, urged its citizens to exercise caution, while Russia — itself increasingly close to Pyongyang — called the situation “alarming”.