Military withdrawn

Martial law: what happens now in South Korea

South Korean soldiers leave the National Assembly in Seoul

(Bild: AP)

South Korea is in a deep state crisis. Initially, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, the parliament was sealed off and the media controlled. After a negative parliamentary vote, Yoon backed down. An overview.

After dramatic hours, Yoon announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning (local time) that he would lift the martial law he had declared.

Soldiers withdrawn again
In his own words, he was reacting to the parliament's decision to block martial law. The soldiers to secure martial law had been withdrawn again and the cabinet would soon be meeting again.

Dispute over state budget
Yoon had previously declared martial law for the first time in over 40 years. The background to the conflict is apparently a dispute over the state budget. He accused the opposition of being stooges of the communist North. The declared state of emergency is aimed at "wiping out pro-North Korean forces and protecting the constitutional order of freedom",

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

(Bild: APA/AFP/Anthony WALLACE)

Parliament was sealed off after the original declaration of martial law. The military declared that the work of parliament and political parties was prohibited. Media and publishing houses were placed under the control of the martial law command.

"Unconstitutional"
Parliament itself had previously voted in favor of lifting martial law. The chairman of parliament declared Yoon's move invalid. Both opposition leader Lee Jae Myung and the head of Yoon's own party, Han Dong Hoon, declared martial law unconstitutional.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AP)

"Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol"
 There were demonstrations around the parliament building during the night, but it remained peaceful. Some shouted: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol". Later, there were no more soldiers to be seen in front of the building, but riot police.

There were no indications that the totalitarian neighboring country of North Korea was involved in the situation. The US government expressed concern about the developments in South Korea, as did Russia and Germany.

President under domestic political pressure
Yoon has been under domestic political pressure for months. Most recently, an alleged corruption scandal involving his wife has further depressed his popularity ratings. In addition, the incumbent party is fighting with the opposition over the budget law for the coming year.

Yoon also accused the parliament, which is dominated by the opposition, of undermining government business by proposing the impeachment of ministers and other high-ranking officials. Since the government took office in May 2022, the National Assembly has tabled 22 motions for impeachment. This is unprecedented worldwide.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have also been rising for months. North Korea has significantly increased its missile tests over the past two years and stepped up its rhetoric against the USA and South Korea. North Korea has also sent thousands of soldiers to Russia, where they are being deployed in the recapture of the Kursk region.

28,500 US soldiers in South Korea
28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea to protect the ally against the nuclear power North Korea. The Korean War on the peninsula lasted from 1950 to 1953 and ended with an armistice. In fact, the two Korean states are still at war. Although South Korea had a series of authoritarian governments in its early phase, it has been considered democratic since the 1980s.