On December 3, 2024, in a sudden and unprecedented move that reverberated across South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law late Tuesday night. In a striking televised address, Yoon accused opposition parties of colluding with North Korea and effectively paralyzing the government by leveraging their majority control in parliament.
However, just 150 minutes after the martial law was declared, all 190 members present at the session voted in favor of the resolution. The National Assembly held a plenary session at approximately 1 AM on December 4, unanimously passing a resolution to revoke martial law.
People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon stated, "As martial law has lost its substantive effect, from this moment forward, all state institutions, including the military and police, have an obligation not to comply with unlawful or improper orders."
Many South Koreans were unsettled and bewildered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law. His justification, alleging collusion between the opposition party and North Korea, was met with widespread skepticism and disbelief.
Korean netizens reacted to the martial law declaration and commented:
"Should a president be allowed to throw the nation into chaos? Impeach a president who fails to protect the country and drives it into turmoil."
"Ordinary citizens are anti-state forces? Seriously?"
"This is driving me crazy… I never thought I’d witness something like this in my lifetime."
"Ah... What a disgrace to the nation..."
"The more I think about it, the more clueless he seems. Declaring martial law is bad enough, but what’s the justification? Why now, of all times? Why declare martial law at all? Does this man have any political sense left, or is he completely out of touch?"
"Is he even in his right mind? Does he understand what martial law means? A president who harms his own people… He must be impeached. It looks like it’s time for the citizens to act."
"Ah… my stocks were already down 20% after he became president, and now they’ll plummet tomorrow. You’re the anti-state force and the pro-North sympathizer, Yoon Suk Yeol. Step down. End the dictatorship."
"Do not forgive Yoon Suk Yeol for creating this disaster. Hold him accountable to the end, and make sure history remembers."
"While the people are struggling every day to make ends meet, he’s only thinking about himself and declaring martial law. Absolutely ridiculous."
"This is a clear-cut case for impeachment."
"Those who support the martial law declaration should be arrested for attempting to overthrow the state."
"Looks like he did this because the special prosecutor investigation was about to pass. He must have realized that the special investigation was the gateway to impeachment."
"Even someone as clueless as him can become president…"
"Ah, this is so embarrassing… utterly shameful. It’s a complete disgrace. I genuinely resent the citizens who voted for Yoon Suk Yeol."
"To save his wife, he turns guns and weapons against the people. Wow, the country has truly regressed back to the 1980s. Just like Chun Doo Hwan and Park Chung Hee."
"Ah… making life even harder for already struggling citizens. Such a reckless and irresponsible leader. Forget candles; we should be raising torches instead. The country’s already a complete mess—what’s the point of living on? How should we deal with a president who has given us a night so long and unbearable it feels like my blood pressure will explode?"
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