In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in response to a deepening budget dispute with the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The crisis emerged when the opposition Democratic Party slashed 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon's proposed 677 trillion won budget, with Yoon claiming that "all key budgets essential to the nation's core functions" were being cut. This was the first such declaration since 1980 and the first since South Korea's transition to democracy in 1987- 1988. Before this attempt to place the country under military rule, Yoon had already been struggling with low popularity ratings, corruption allegations, and an opposition-led legislature that had reduced him to a lame-duck leader.
Martial Law Implementation
The implementation of martial law saw security forces sealing the National Assembly, with helicopters landing on the roof and troops entering the building in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from accessing the parliament. The declaration included orders for the arrest of key political figures, including ruling party leader Han Dong-Hoon, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung, and three opposition lawmakers, as confirmed by the National Intelligence Service deputy director. The martial law revoked longstanding key democratic rights, including the prohibition of all political activities, public gatherings, strikes, and "fake news." All media and publications were placed under martial law command control, and medical personnel who had been on strike for over half a year were ordered to return to work within 48 hours. Narratives around Declaration
The government's narrative centred on claimed threats to liberal democracy from "anti-state elements" and "threats posed by North Korea," though little detail was provided. Yoon called the opposition-controlled National Assembly a "den of criminals" attempting to "paralyse” the government. The opposition was unified across political lines, with even the leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power party calling the decision "wrong." One general notably defied the defence minister's order to drag lawmakers out of the National Assembly building, stating it was "clearly an illegal act." Forces were reported to be "soft-pedalling" their orders, deliberately moving slowly, perhaps aware that participants in previous coups faced prosecution.
Outlook to Thailand’s Martial Law
As compared to Thailand's martial law declarations in 2006 and 2014, South Korea's 2024 crisis reveals critical contrasts despite initial similarities. Both nations faced democratic challenges, Thailand under Thaksin Shinawatra saw power centralisation and institutional erosion, while South Korea under Yoon attempted military intervention. Both experienced corruption allegations and widespread protests, with Thailand's PAD demonstrating against Thaksin paralleling South Korean protests against Yoon.
However, responses diverged significantly. Thailand's crisis culminated in a military coup and extended military rule, while South Korea's military remained apolitical, even refusing unconstitutional orders. Public sentiment also differed markedly - Thailand initially supported military intervention, whereas South Korea showed immediate, unified opposition through strikes and protests.
U.S. Reaction
The U.S. response reflected deep concern about this development in a key Asian ally. Sullivan publicly revealed that the US "learned about this [declaration] from the announcement on television, the same way the rest of the world did," noting it "raised alarm bells everywhere." The crisis has cast a pall over the alliance between China and Russia that the US has been actively building in Northeast Asia. Under Yoon's presidency since 2022, the US-Japan-South Korea alliance had grown increasingly robust, with Japan and South Korea setting aside historical grievances to establish close political, economic, and military ties.
Conclusion
Yoon has not been seen or spoken publicly since reversing the martial law order. A survey conducted from Tuesday to Thursday showed his approval rating had plummeted to a record low of 13%. The opposition holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament but needs the support of at least eight ruling party MPs to secure the 200 votes required for the impeachment motion to pass. In the first clear sign his own party may vote with the opposition, the leader of Yoon's ruling party called for his swift suspension, saying he posed a "great danger" to democracy if he remained in power. While the immediate crisis demonstrated the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions, the political aftershocks continue to reverberate through domestic and international spheres