South Korea - Martial Law, Impeachment and Arrest Warrant for President

by Leyan Almaghafi, BA Economics and Politics 03/02/2025

On 4 December 2024, South Korean lawmakers called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol after his abrupt declaration of martial law, which was reversed just hours later. The incident has triggered the biggest political crisis in decades for Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

What is martial law?

Martial law refers to the imposition of direct military control over normal civil functions or suspension of civil law by a government. This implementation often leads to the suspension of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech, assembly and the press. Under martial law, regular legal protections-such as Habeas corpus and protection against unlawful detention-are often suspended, signifying a system where individuals may be detained or punished without proper judicial oversight. The implementation sparked widespread fear and unease among the South Korean population. 

What was President Yoon Suk Yeol's motivation? 

"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon said. Despite framing the move as a protective measure, South Korea's President did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North. 

Yoon Suk Yeol stated that he was attempting to safeguard the country’s liberal democracy and accusing the opposition of paralysing the government with “anti-state activities”. He declared that the country required protection from forces that sympathised with North Korea. 

Claims have surfaced suggesting that the emergency declaration may be tied to President Yoon's political challenges. Since taking office in May 2022, the President has raised concerns over the filing of 22 impeachment motions against administration officials.

What was the response to Mr Yoon’s decision?

The declaration of martial law has evoked vivid memories of South Korea's authoritarian rule, which ended in 1987, when a previous leader implemented similar measures. The President's announcement has sparked widespread concern and fear, with some expressing shock: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Hwang, a 19-year-old student. 

This response was also emitted by leaders of Mr Yoon's own party, The People Power Party, as they publicly announced the decision to be unconstitutional. Both lawmakers and leaders of Mr Yoon's party gathered to vote against martial law, with all 190 lawmakers present, including 18 members of Mr Yoon’s party, voting to lift it. 

Economically, the South Korean won dropped to a two-year low before stabilising amid reports of suspected intervention by authorities. Meanwhile, Seoul's stock market declined by approximately 2% on 4 December. In response, the finance ministry announced its readiness to inject "unlimited" liquidity into financial markets if necessary, with the Bank of Korea also pledging its support.

Officials from the United States, Britain, Germany, and other nations expressed concern over the developments, emphasising the importance of maintaining a peaceful rule of law.

As a result, the President's decision was reversed just hours after he made the unanticipated declaration. "There was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations," stated the South Korean President during a televised address. 

What happens next?

Following the submission of a formal impeachment motion by six opposition parties, the National Assembly passed the motion with the required two-thirds majority after intense debate. This marked the second impeachment attempt against Yoon, following an earlier unsuccessful bid. 

This marks a dramatic end to Yoon's administration, which had already seen mass resignations from senior officials, including Defense Minister Kim Hyun-jong, as his approval rating plummeted to just 20%. Since his impeachment and suspension last month over the martial law decree on 3 December, Yoon has been lying low at his official residence in Hannam-dong, often referred to as Korea's Beverly Hills.

What does this mean for Korean politics? 

The impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol mark a profound shift in South Korean politics, highlighting significant divisions within the political system and eroding public trust in leadership. Domestically, the crisis demonstrates the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions but also highlights the growing polarisation and calls for systemic reforms. Internationally, it risks destabilising regional security, straining relations with key allies, and emboldening adversaries such as North Korea, China, and Russia.

Within the country, the consequences could fuel demands for reforms to limit presidential powers and strengthen checks and balances. However, the polarisation exposed by this crisis may make meaningful change difficult. Public disillusionment with leadership could also reshape voter behaviour, further destabilising the political landscape.

As the nation grapples with this instability, its ability to navigate both internal recovery and external challenges remains uncertain, leaving the future of South Korean politics in a critical phase.