As the day neared its end, at 10:20 PM on December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon declared emergency martial law.
“To protect the people from the threat of North Korea’s communist forces, to eradicate the shameless anti-national elements who are plundering our citizens’ freedom and happiness, and to safeguard the constitutional order of freedom, I hereby declare emergency martial law.”
The entire nation of South Korea was thrown into chaos in an instant. Democracy in South Korea faced an unprecedented crisis of regression. The only way to overturn this absurd martial law was through a resolution by the National Assembly.
Around 11 PM, the police sealed off the entrances to the National Assembly. Meanwhile, a martial law commander was appointed, and proclamations were issued.
Martial law troops began to advance. Helicopters appeared in the skies over Seoul, and armored vehicles roamed the streets. The horrifying sight of soldiers’ boots stomping through the National Assembly and smashing its windows began to unfold.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, members of opposition parties, and their assistants gathered to prevent a tragic repeat of the atrocities South Korea suffered 45 years ago. They urged their colleagues and the public to join forces, scaling the walls of the National Assembly and running to defend democracy. They used their own bodies to block the military from entering the Assembly.
The people also rose up. Democracy, created by the citizens, was once again defended by those same citizens.
Without hesitation, they stood in the path of armed soldiers. They surrounded armored vehicles with their bodies. The martial law troops pointed their guns at the citizens, but the people refused to back down.
Everyone staked their lives. In just 153 minutes, the National Assembly passed a resolution to revoke the state of emergency, bringing the martial law to an end.
However, the people saw everything clearly. Yoon Suk-yeol trampled on the history of democracy, built on the sacrifices and blood of countless lives. By destroying the constitutional order solely for his personal gain, Yoon Suk-yeol is no longer the President of South Korea. He is a ringleader of rebellion and insurrection.
What is Martial law?
In the 1980s, under martial law, South Korea was truly a tragic era. Under the pretext of eradicating anti-state forces, countless people were brutally massacred. My family, friends, seniors, and juniors were dragged away and subjected to torture.
I was shocked by the discovery of something pure within me on that day, as we stood before the muzzles of guns with the bodies of those killed by soldiers piled onto carts and led the march with hundreds of thousands of others.
I remember the vivid feeling of no longer being afraid, of being ready to die right then, as if the blood of tens of thousands of people had formed a massive vein connecting us all. I felt the pulse of the largest and most sacred heart in the world coursing through that vein, and I dared to believe that I was a part of it.
It was around 1 PM when soldiers opened fire to the tune of the national anthem playing through the speakers in front of the provincial office. Standing in the middle of the demonstration, I fled. The largest and most sacred heart in the world shattered into countless pieces and scattered.
(Han Kang, "Human Acts")
Article 77, Clause 1 of the Constitution:
"The President may proclaim martial law as prescribed by law in the event of war, armed conflict, or a national emergency equivalent thereto, when it is necessary to respond with military force to military needs or to maintain public safety and order."
Full Text of the December 3 Martial Law Proclamation:
1. All political activities, including the operation of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. Any acts denying or attempting to overthrow the free democratic system are prohibited. Additionally, fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false agitation are banned.
3. All media and publications are subject to control by the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, slowdowns, and assemblies inciting social unrest are strictly prohibited.
5. All medical professionals, including resident doctors who are currently on strike or have left their workplaces, are required to return to their duties within 48 hours and work faithfully. Violations will be eradicated under martial law.
6. Measures will be taken to minimize inconvenience to ordinary law-abiding citizens in their daily lives, excluding anti-state and subversive forces.
Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law fails to meet any of the required conditions and blatantly violates the Constitution, which has been written with the blood of Korea's modern history. This is a clear act of insurrection.
Anyone who dares to use the term "eradication" against the people is the one who should be eradicated.
Some say, “The soldiers only followed orders”, leaving words of sympathy.
However, Im Tae-hoon, Director of the Military Human Rights Center, stated, “The Airborne Unit personnel who were deployed to the National Assembly grounds and used physical force in an attempt to detain lawmakers are subject to punishment. Similarly, the Military Police Special Forces are accomplices to the crime of insurrection under the criminal code.” Director Im emphasized, “The fact that simple acts of compliance or exchanging greetings among them are being passed around as touching anecdotes is, in my view, a dangerous sign.”
The response of President Yoon to the failed imposition of martial law was utterly shocking. "How is it possible that, with military units deployed, we still couldn't take over the National Assembly?"
Evidence emerged of plans to arrest key opposition lawmakers.
CCTV footage from the National Election Commission revealed preparations for a possible bloodshed scenario.
Right before the vote, orders were given to “break down the doors, cut the power if necessary.”
Suspicions arose that an attack on North Korea was being planned to provoke a localized conflict.
The entire nation was enraged. Statements condemning President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law declaration and declarations of the state of affairs poured out from all corners. Once again, we took to the streets.
Candlelight Protests and the Motion for Impeachment
On the morning of December 6, President Yoon addressed the nation with an apology. It lasted a mere two minutes.
By the afternoon of December 6, one million people gathered in front of the National Assembly, holding candles aloft. With one voice, they called for Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment.
The air was cold, but our spirits were burning. Everyone came together in solidarity, each from their own position. Taxi drivers waived fares for passengers heading to the National Assembly. Some pre-ordered around 100 drinks of near by cafes to support the rally participants. High school students who had just finished their college entrance exams, college students, office workers, teachers, actors, and even K-pop idols joined in.
Each carried their own flag. Young K-pop fans brought their light sticks, while elders who had lived through similar struggles in the past also gathered. The rally proceeded peacefully but with a resolute and unmistakable voice.
At the same time, a special prosecutor bill targeting First Lady Kim Keon-hee and an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol were introduced.
The special prosecutor bill was narrowly rejected, failing by just two votes.
The behavior of the ruling party following the vote was shocking. They collectively walked out of the parliamentary chamber, refusing to participate in the impeachment vote.
The floor leader of the Democratic Party made a heartfelt plea, calling out the names of each ruling party member one by one, urging them to return and cast their votes. Citizens gathered outside the National Assembly joined in the calls.
The Speaker of the National Assembly addressed the chamber: "The current temperature in Yeouido(where the congress is located) is below freezing. We cannot leave citizens standing outside the walls of the National Assembly all night. Once again, I urge those who have not yet participated in the vote to promptly return to the chamber and fulfill their duty."
Despite the appeals, only two members returned, and it was later revealed that one of them voted against the motion. Ultimately, the vote was invalidated because the required quorum for counting votes was not met, leaving the motion unresolved, with no confirmation of the votes for or against.
Those who stood in the chamber under the title of representatives of the people did not exercise the voting rights entrusted to them by the citizens. They ignored the will of the people.
They are accomplices to treason. They do not deserve their positions.
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea, Article 1
1. The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic.
2. The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all state authority emanates from the people.
Although the impeachment motion was not passed, we will not give up.
We will protect democracy, and we will protect the Republic of Korea.
We will not stop, and we will prevail.
"We gather until it is done. Because this is how this nation was built."
(Source: YouTube '새날')
"How do you feel about ultimately losing today?"
"Losing? The ones who ran away were the ruling party, so why is it us who lost? I’ve never shown my back to the fight.’”
(X, @606_808)
If you want to experience the wounds and struggles that South Korea endured more than 40 years ago, I highly recommend reading Han Kang's novel "Human Acts". She is 2024 nobel prize in literature and 2016 International Booker Prize winner.
Related movies are: 12.12: The Day(2023), A Taxi Driver(2017), 1987: When the Day Comes (2017).
Drama: Youth of May(2021)
Following youtube captures the urgency of the situation at the time. Turn on the automatic subtitle, and let this your today's lunch mate!
https://www.youtube.com/live/1uwk1t6krbU?si=7O0XcbkCZewUU-Sa
CBC News: Martial law: How South Korean politics spun out of control | About That
https://youtu.be/8kj8UcCFcX0?si=7q8qoakTVW_rkbSp
The following is Sungkyunkwan University's Declaration on Current Affairs:
Condemning President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Illegal Declaration of Emergency Martial Law
On December 3, 2024, at 10:20 PM, emergency martial law was declared. This act recalls the dark history of 45 years ago in 1979, when democracy was brutally suppressed. While the official rationale for the declaration was to address the threat of North Korea and restore social order, the true intention was clearly the maintenance of political power. This was a direct violation of the constitutional democracy that has been built on the blood and sweat of the people, and an unforgivable act of tyranny under the guise of law.
A government that undermines the foundational principles of democracy and the rights of its citizens has lost its legitimacy to govern. The people are not mere subjects to be controlled, nor can their freedom and dignity be trampled for the sake of power. The invocation of martial law in response to non-military threats violates the Constitution and disregards Article 77 of the Constitution, which stipulates the limited conditions under which martial law may be declared.
This illegal and unconstitutional declaration of martial law represents nothing less than an act of rebellion against the democratic republic. Furthermore, the use of police and military forces to seal off the National Assembly and suppress lawmakers is tantamount to a coup d'état. Such actions blatantly disregard the constitutional order and the sovereignty of the people.
However, we, the citizens, have already witnessed and resisted the tragedies of authoritarianism. We have never wavered in the face of threats to our democracy, and this moment is no exception. Democracy cannot be destroyed as long as the people’s will remains resolute.
Thus, we declare: We will resolutely oppose the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the current administration. We will protect our democracy, built on the sacrifices of countless individuals, and fight to preserve the values of freedom and justice. We call upon all citizens to stand united and demand the immediate resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the restoration of constitutional order.
December 4, 2024
Sungkyunkwan University
57th General Student Association Emergency Response Committee
The Following is an Appeal from Ewha Womans University Political Science and International Relations, Class of 2022:
An Appeal to All Youth
On December 3, 2024, we witnessed Yoon Suk-yeol declaring emergency martial law and blocking the National Assembly.
This is the first time we have witnessed martial law stepping out of the pages of textbooks and into reality. We saw, for the first time in my life, soldiers' boots marking the halls of the National Assembly and guns pointed at citizens.
Some say today’s generation of twenty-somethings is indifferent to politics. They call us a generation disconnected from the legacy of student movements, one that has grown up without knowing freedom or struggle.
So we ask: Are we truly a generation that has grown up ignorant of despair? Do you truly believe we are unaware of the youth crushed to death by machines, drowned at sea, suffocated beneath containers, or driven to take their own lives?
In 1997, South Korea saw its first peaceful transfer of power. By human years, that peace would only be 28 years old this year. Our democracy is still in its youth, a peer to us who are still struggling to find our way. We cannot accept the loss of any more lives, of any more peers.
We earnestly appeal to you: Protect our youth, our vibrant spring, and the spirit of the Seoul Spring once more.
December 5, 2024
Ewha Womans University Political Science and International Relations, Class of 2022