South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s political future is uncertain after he declared martial law late Tuesday night — and then lifted the decree hours later following backlash from lawmakers and citizens.
The incident comes at a time when Yoon’s popularity is already fragile because of a series of scandals and deadlocked politics. The most recent Gallup Korea poll, taken before the martial law fiasco, showed his approval rating at just 19%.
Here’s a recap of what happened:
- Yoon declared martial law at about 11 p.m. local time Tuesday, accusing the country’s main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and anti-state activities. He cited a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.
- Lawmakers then unanimously voted to block the decree. Of South Korea’s 300 National Assembly members, 190 were present to vote in the emergency late-night session.
- Shortly before 5 a.m. local time Wednesday, Yoon announced he would reverse his decision. He said in a statement that he withdrew the troops deployed to carry out the order, but doubled down in his initial justification for the decree.
- The president’s cabinet voted to lift the order.
What to know about martial law: The last time a South Korean president declared martial law was in 1980, during a nationwide uprising led by students and labor unions. It would mean that all political activities, including those related to the National Assembly, rallies and protests are banned, Yonhap News Agency reported. The decree also prohibited “denying free democracy or attempting a subversion,” and outlawed “fake news” and “manipulating public opinion.”
Yoon’s political future in the balance:
- South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party says it will begin impeachment proceedings against Yoon if he doesn’t step down immediately. The party called the martial law declaration an act of rebellion and grounds for impeachment.
- The leader of Yoon’s own party, Han Dong-hoon, urged the president to explain his “tragic” decision and called for the defense minister to be fired.
- The Korean Confederation of Trade Union, the largest union confederation in the country, said its members will go on an indefinite general strike until Yoon resigns.
- Yoon postponed his first scheduled public meeting Wednesday morning.