South Korean military forces have descended on the country’s parliament building and other parts of the capital Seoul following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of martial law. South Korea’s political opposition has decried Yoon’s surprise move, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, which has already led to scuffling between civilians and security forces.
Yoon announced he was imposing martial law across the country in a brief televised announcement late on Tuesday local time. It is now Wednesday, Dec. 4 in South Korea.
“The martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom,” Yoon said, according to South Korean news outlet Yonhap.
Yoon, a member of the People Power Party, accused the opposition Democratic Party of Korea of “clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion” and of having “paralyzed state affairs and turned the National Assembly into a den of criminals,” according to CNN. He said that martial law was required to remove the “shameless pro-North anti-state forces” and pledged to “eliminate the anti-state forces and restore the country to normalcy as quickly as possible.”
This is the first time in more than four decades that South Korea’s government has declared martial law. In 1979, authorities in the country made the move following the assassination of long-time dictator Park Chung Hee. Martial law was extended the following year in response to pro-democracy protests.
The War Zone subsequently obtained a translation of the South Korean military proclamation regarding the martial law declaration that states the following:
“To safeguard liberal democracy and protect the safety of citizens from the threat of anti-state forces attempting to overthrow the Republic of Korea, the following orders are proclaimed effective from 11:00 PM on December 3, 2024, across the entire nation:
- All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and any political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are prohibited.
- All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system, as well as the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda, are prohibited.
- All media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.
- Strikes, slowdowns, and gatherings that incite social disorder are prohibited.
- All medical professionals, including resident doctors, who are currently on strike or absent from their medical duties, must return to work and faithfully carry out their responsibilities within 48 hours. Violators will be punished under the Martial Law Act.
- Measures will be taken to minimize inconvenience to ordinary, law-abiding citizens, except for anti-state forces or those attempting to overthrow the system.
Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant under Article 9 (Special Authority of the Martial Law Commander) of the Martial Law Act. They will also be punished under Article 14 (Penalties) of the Martial Law Act.”
As already noted, South Korean military forces subsequently deployed to the National Assembly building, the seat of the country’s parliament, and other areas of Seoul. Imagery circulating online show Black Hawk helicopters operating around South Korea’s capital.
There are also unconfirmed reports of the arrival of armored and other military vehicles, including K808/K806 series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and 8×8 K30W Cheonho wheeled short-range air defense systems, in Seoul. At least one image being shared widely showing a column of IFVs has turned out to be from earlier this year.
Video clips show security forces scuffling with groups of civilians, reportedly including opposition lawmakers, outside the parliament building and elsewhere in Seoul. There have been reports that legislators and staff, as well as journalists, are being allowed into the National Assembly complex. The situation remains very fluid.
Lee Jae-myung, who is head of the opposition Democratic Party, and Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, have both decried the martial law declaration. South Korea’s parliament does have the authority to override martial law by a majority vote.
The major unrest in South Korea follows already escalating political turmoil in the country. The Yoon administration has also been struggling to tackle strikes by doctors that have now put significant strain on the country’s healthcare system.
It also comes at a time of heightened tensions between South Korea and North Korea, the latter of which has been steadily taking more hostile actions, as well as becoming more deeply embroiled in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Yoon has adopted a hardline stance toward the North and has been actively pushing for a greater buildup of South Korea’s armed forces. He has even raised the possibility of his country developing its own nuclear arsenal.
South Korea is a major U.S. ally with approximately 28,500 American military personnel forward-deployed in the country.
“The Administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely,” a spokesperson for U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Security Council told The War Zone.
The full extent of the fallout from Yoon’s martial law declaration remains to be seen, but it is certainly an extremely worrisome development for the country.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: 12:15 PM EST —
South Korea’s parliament has now voted to end martial law and some security forces have since been seen leaving the National Assembly building. However, there are also reports that the South Korean military says it will continue to enforce martial law until ordered to cease doing so by Yoon.
“We’re seeking to engage our ROK [Republic of Korea] counterparts at every level, both here and in Seoul, the President, the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of State, have all been briefed on developments and are being kept appraised of the situation as it unfolds,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has also now told Yonhap, adding that he was following the developments with “grave concern.”
UPDATE: 2:50 PM EST —
There are reports now that attempts were made to arrest Myung, Hoon, and Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-Sik following the initial declaration of martial law, but it is unclear whether Yoon’s government is still looking to do so.
Yoon has publicly announced his intention to comply with the National Assembly’s demand to bring the declaration of martial law to an end.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder took questions about the situation in South Korea and the potential for impacts to U.S. forces there at a routine press conference today.
“We’re continuing to monitor [the situation.] We’re in touch with the ROK right now,” Ryder said. “There has been essentially no impact on U.S. forces, but again, you know, we’ll continue to monitor and we’ll keep you updated.”
“My understanding is, no, they’re not … under any type of curfew. But, obviously, in these kinds of situations, you want to make sure that you’re paying attention, that you’re checking in with your unit, making sure that there’s accountability,” he continued. “Our commitment to the alliance and the defense of the Republic of Korea is ironclad.”
The U.S. State Department has also now stressed that it had no advance notice of Yoon’s plans and that the hope is for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in accordance with South Korean law.
Contact the author: joe@twz.com