South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday announced a state of martial law in the country, accusing the opposition party of “anti state” activities and potential links with North Korea.
Yoon mobilized the South Korean military, ordering them into the capital, the first time such an incident has occurred in the East Asian nation since a military coup in the early 1980s.
Yoon’s late-night announcement was met with a swift response from lawmakers and the public and was quickly withdrawn by the president several hours later.
Yoon, who leads the conservative People Power Party, is deeply unpopular with approval ratings south of 20%. Liberal lawmakers, meanwhile, control a majority in Congress and have worked to stymie much of Yoon’s agenda.
EMS’s Jongwon Lee says Yoon’s declaration was an act of desperation that will likely lead lawmakers who have long talked of impeaching the unpopular leader to finally take steps in that direction. The incident, says Lee, also points to the vulnerability of democracy in South Korea and the wider region.
Lee spoke with EMS Editor Peter Schurmann. You can read a lightly edited transcript of the interview below.
Jongwon Lee: A couple of hours ago the South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law and ordered a military mobilization into the capital and Congress. He ordered the regular army to deploy into a major Korean city and the Capital. Two hours later more than 190 lawmakers gathered in Congress and rejected the Martial Law declaration. And so, the military in Seoul is now withdrawing. So, fortunately, there was no physical violence or injuries. People are celebrating the repeal of martial law.
EMS: You said this reminded you of the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. In what way do you see the two as being related?
Lee: The two incidents shared a lot of things in common. An unpopular, ultraconservative president who tried to stop something in Congress, whether an impeachment or voter certification. So, both presidents cited either North Korean spies or the Black Lives Matter movement. Both presidents (Trump and Yoon) are supported by the religious right … but in South Korea, the president himself ordered the mobilization of the regular army. That is a huge difference.
EMS: How do you see this playing out? Will lawmakers look to impeach Yoon?
Lee: Yes, certainly. The South Korean president is having a lot of trouble, including allegations of family corruption, sinking popularity and losing control of Congress. He basically can’t do anything. And while the opposing party has long talked of impeachment, it has never made an attempt. I believe this incident will certainly push them in that direction. Even a couple of high-ranking civil servants left the administration after the declaration.
So, I believe this incident shows the vulnerability of democracy in East Asia. The good thing is the crisis was resolved peacefully. The regular military withdrew without any violence because of people’s peaceful demonstrations and the actions of Congress. So, we still have hope, I think.
EMS: Trump has often talked of withdrawing US forces from South Korea. If there is a change in leadership in South Korea, how might it impact relations between the two countries?
Lee: I believe there will be no major changes between South Korea and the US because, first of all, even conservatives and liberals in South Korean agree that the presence of the US military is necessary because of North Korea. So, even the liberal party may support Trump. Five or six years ago, Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. And maybe you remember that during the first Trump administration there were no major threats by North Korea.
EMS: So, you’re suggesting liberals in South Korea may find themselves more aligned with Trump who has tried to befriend North Korea’s leader, which is kind of ironic. But there it is.
