South Korea declares martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law,” Tuesday accusing the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.

Yoon made the announcement in a televised briefing, vowing to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.”

It wasn’t immediately clear how Yoon’s step would affect the country’s governance and democracy. The move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”
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1. Syngman Rhee (1948–1960) – Overthrown.
2. Yun Bo-seon (1960–1962) – Overthrown.
3. Park Chung-hee (1962–1979) – Assassinated.
4. Choi Kyu-hah (1979–1980) – Removed by a military coup.
5. Chun Doo-hwan (1981–1988) – Sentenced to death after his presidency.
6. Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993) – Sentenced to 22 years in prison after his presidency.
7. Kim Young-sam (1993–1998) – Imprisoned during the term of President No. 3. As president, secured convictions against two of his predecessors.
8. Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003) – Imprisoned under President No. 3 and sentenced to death under President No. 5 (later pardoned). Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
9. Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008) – Impeached (later overturned by the Constitutional Court). Investigated for corruption after his term and committed suicide.
10. Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013) – Arrested for corruption after his presidency; sentenced to 15 years in prison.
11. Park Geun-hye (2013–2016) – Impeached and arrested for corruption; sentenced to 24 years in prison.
12. Moon Jae-in – Recent president; no imprisonment.
13. Yoon Suk Yeol – Impeachment likely.

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The South Korean political crisis doesn't seem to be ending just yet even after President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote on Saturday. The prosecutors’ office has been reported to have opened an investigation into his role in last week’s brief imposition of martial law.

The former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has also been arrested in connection with the declaration, Bloomberg reported.

Park Se-hyun, chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, opened the probe into Yoon after receiving several complaints.

The President’s office is yet to issue a statement on the report.

The investigation marks a dramatic turn of events for Yoon, a former prosecutor who made his name pursuing an influence-peddling case that involved former president Park Geun-hye — who was ultimately impeached and jailed.

The effects of the martial law declaration were still being felt on Sunday as interior minister Lee Sang-min quit his role.

The ruling People Power Party’s Han Dong-hoon tried to reassure the citizens by announcing that prime minister Han Duck-soo will manage the nation’s affairs as the party prepared an orderly exit plan for Yoon.
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Saturday to fight for his political future after he was impeached in a second vote by the opposition-led parliament over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, a move that had shocked the nation.

The Constitutional Court will decide whether to remove Yoon sometime in the next six months. If he is removed from office, a snap election will be called.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was appointed by Yoon, became acting president while Yoon remains in office but with his presidential powers suspended halfway through his five-year term.

Han promised his utmost efforts to ensure stability after Yoon's impeachment. "I will give all my strength and efforts to stabilise the government," Han told reporters.
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