South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law, Triggering Democratic Crisis
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at 11 PM, a shocking move that lasted only six hours before being unanimously rejected by the National Assembly. Claiming to protect against ‘anti-state forces’, Yoon’s decree was widely seen as an attempt to circumvent the opposition-controlled legislature. The incident led to his Defense Minister’s resignation, nationwide protests, and an impeachment process that ultimately removed him from office on April 4, 2025. This event marked a critical test of South Korea’s democratic institutions, which ultimately proved resilient by swiftly countering the authoritarian impulse.
Key Actors
Sources (8)
- cbsnews.com
- npr.org
- en.wikipedia.org
- Martial Law Pushback in South Korea (2024-12-03)
- South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law attempt (2024-12-03)
- South Korea martial law lifted, president urged to resign (2024-12-03)
- Democracy Under Pressure: Yoon's Failed Martial Law (2024-12-03)
- Yoon's Failed Political Coup and South Korea's Crisis (2024-12-03)
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