In a sudden late-night announcement on December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, marking the first suspension of democratic rights in South Korea since the end of military dictatorship in 1987. Thanks to lawmakers’ rapid reactions and successful emergency gathering, martial law was revoked and lifted six hours after the declaration. Nonetheless, the sight of citizens and lawmakers facing off against soldiers in front of the National Assembly evoked vivid memories of past periods of military rule. Yoon’s gambit spread outrage across South Korean society, shocked global partners, and incited massive protests demanding Yoon’s impeachment, a demand that successfully passed through South Korea's parliament on December 14th.
In light of the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea, there are many questions to be answered. How did partisan tensions spin out of control? What are the domestic political consequences of the martial law fiasco? What are the implications for the US-ROK alliance and South Korean foreign policy?
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