President Yoon Declares Emergency Martial Law and Lifts it

News Summary

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law Tuesday night, accusing the Democratic Party of paralyzing the government with "anti-state activities plotting rebellion."

Yoon said, "Korea is in a precarious situation where it would not be surprising if it collapsed immediately ... Dear citizens, I declare emergency martial law to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order."

6 hours after his announcement, Yoon rescinded martial law on Wednesday, acting in response to the National Assembly's unanimous decision to annul the law.

However, Yoon called on the Assembly "to immediately cease reckless acts such as repeated impeachments, legislative manipulations and budgetary disruptions that are paralyzing the functions of the state."

Commentary

The world is shocked by President Yoon's sudden declaration of emergency martial law. Many view this action as political suicide that accelerates Yoon's impeachment.

Regardless of whatever motivations he had, however, the truth is that Yoon accurately depicted the grave situation South Korea faces in his speech. South Korea is in a serious war against North Korean communist forces and pro-North Korean anti-state forces inside the country. The outcome of this war will determine whether South Korea remains as a free Republic of Korea or follow the same path as North Korea.

Through his seemingly failed martial law attempt, Yoon was able to alert both freedom-loving South Korean citizens and the international community to the dire situation in South Korea. He was aware that, even without declaring martial law, the opposition party-led Assembly would impeach him anyway. It is likely that He believed it was far more worthwhile to risk his entire presidency than to do nothing.

Despite facing severe criticism and even impeachment attempts, President Yoon must continue to fight and not back down. Those who have heard the wake-up call must also fight along with the president to defend the free Republic of Korea. If South Korea does not retreat and keeps fighting for the freedom of "all Koreans," we will finally see the end of the Kim regime and its followers in the South.