On Dec. 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol shocked the Korean people and the international community by declaring martial law in his country. This military move was a complete surprise for a country like Korea, celebrated for its vibrant liberal democratic values and for a leader who has advocated democracy and a rules-based world order on the global stage. However, the declaration was swiftly overturned just six hours later when the country’s 190-member National Assembly unanimously rejected the military intervention. Despite its brief duration, the incident has left a lasting impact, sending shockwaves across South Korea
President Yoon’s decision to impose martial law is widely seen as a response to growing pressure from the public, the opposition, and even members of his own party. He chose to resort to a military coup supported by a select few in his cabinet because he felt that he was losing support from the public and his own party and that the opposition’s tactics were winning. Currently, Yoon is facing intense pressure to resign, with the opposition re-submitting impeachment motions and protests from various interest groups across the country, particularly students, demanding his resignation for his failed attempt to suspend the country’s democratic system and norms.
Although Yoon survived the impeachment vote on December 7, it is unlikely that Yoon will escape the fallout from the scandal that plunged the South Korean government into chaos and seriously undermined its credibility. Although the opposition’s first impeachment motion was unsuccessful, the main opposition Democratic Party has decided to hold a vote on a second impeachment bill on the coming days. The Democratic Party (DP), which currently has a majority in the General Assembly, needs the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly to impeach Yoon, meaning it would need the support of members of the ruling party.
However, the ruling People Power Party(PPP) is seeking Yoon’s resignation as a preferred exit route rather than impeachment. In order to maintain their grip on the presidency, a task force formed by the ruling People Power Party has reportedly drawn up a plan for President Yoon Suk-yeol to step down in the first quarter of next year and hold a new presidential election in the second quarter, with two scenarios being put forward: an early presidential election in April following the president’s resignation in February, or a resignation in March followed by an election in May.
Amid the ongoing political crisis, the Seoul Central District Court has issued an arrest warrant for former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of advising Yoon to declare martial law. In addition, the legislature has announced its own investigation into the declaration of martial law. Adding to the tension, media reports speculating on the possible arrest of the mastermind behind the martial law have created intense debate over the constitutional and political implications such a detention could entail.
Amidst this situation, calls for Yoon’s resignation are echoing across the country. Student protests are continuing, with student councils and representatives holding joint declarations and protests demanding the resignation of President Yun Suk-yeol. Student councils from 20 universities, including Korea University, Yonsei University, and Ewha Woman’s University, are reportedly planning large-scale protests in the coming days. Also, the Calls for Yoon’s impeachment have also gained momentum among the younger generation on online media, with reports suggesting that images of candlelight vigils, which have deep symbolic meaning in Korea, are appearing on such platforms. Moreover, in an opinion poll conducted regarding the impeachment of Yoon, 80 per cent of respondents supported the impeachment.
Domestically, the coup attempt severely damaged the trust of the public in the civilian government and the military. During this time, the Yoon administration has come under scrutiny for its handling of this crisis, the partial involvement of the military has also raised concerns about its commitment to democratic principles. Besides, the president, who has advocated for democracy and human rights globally, has been confident in carrying out a military coup at home. Economically, the instability caused by the coup attempt has shaken South Korea’s economy, with the stock market experiencing significant volatility. While Foreign investors and domestic businesses have also faced fears about the country’s stability and the prospect of prolonged uncertainty.
Considering the current political situation, the attempted coup in South Korea is a significant concern for its allies, particularly the United States, given its vital partnership with South Korea in regional security. While any instability on the Korean Peninsula weakens the US strategic position in East Asia, the political move by its own ally and the most pro-Western administration ever elected in Korea further complicates the US stance. Such developments are likely to embolden adversaries like North Korea, intensifying regional tensions.
Importantly, the situation introduces significant uncertainty regarding South Korea’s role in the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation. This uncertainty is further exacerbated by ongoing leadership transitions in the U.S. and Japan, potentially undermining cohesion and creating fractures in the leadership structure within the Indo-Pacific region. With Yoon’s days numbered, if a progressive South Korean president emerges from early elections, a key partner in upholding the international rules-based order would be lost.
Furthermore, it is likely to create hard-line voices within the Trump administration, which will take office in January, who will question the transactional benefits of the South Korean partnership. In particular, the current situation is complicated in light of the Special Measurement Agreement (SMA) signed last month regarding continued US military support in Korea (USFK) for 2026-2030, Trump’s potential tariffs on errant allies and strategic adversaries alike, and North Korea’s growing nuclear threat. Moreover, Trump’s return is also worrisome at a time when South Korea is struggling to move beyond the fallout from Yoon’s military rule.
[Photo by Hashflu, via Wikimedia Commons]
Mohammed Unais AV is a Project Fellow at the Korea Centre, Mahatma Gandhi University. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
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