SEOUL SEARCHING CHACR COMMENTARY // DECEMBER 2024
BY: Major Rocco P. Santurri III, freelance author and reservist in the US Army
DEMOCRATIC FRAGILITY & THE CIVIL-MILITARY DIVIDE IN KOREA Events in South Korea continue to develop quickly and unpredictably. The following CHACR Commentary, written from the Republic, reflects the situation as of the 11th December.
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T has been an historic week in South Korea (ROK). It began with a shocking announcement; shortly before midnight on Tuesday, 3rd December, President Yoon declared martial law throughout the ROK to protect against “the threat of North Korean communist forces”. Neither friend nor foe alike anticipated this development. President Yoon also cited current budgetary issues in the National Assembly as another reason to necessitate martial law. ROK military forces were ordered to the National Assembly to prevent parliamentarians from gaining access and voting down the decree. Korean law required a two-thirds majority with a minimum of 150 voters to overturn President Yoon’s decision. Protesters
immediately swarmed to the National Assembly and clashed with ROK soldiers. In an image that encapsulated the chaotic and surreal scene, an opposition party spokesperson grabbed the barrel of a weapon carried by a soldier while shouting “aren’t you ashamed?”. The chaos caused by the protesters provided a valuable distraction for the cause of democracy. Climbing over fences and through broken windows, 190 parliamentarians, determined to protect their republic, bypassed the security cordon and gained access to the National Assembly. Parliamentarians hastily called a vote and struck down martial law by a 190-0 tally. Significantly, members from both major political parties, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Together Democratic Party (DP), participated in the vote. Shortly afterwards, ROK military personnel began leaving the National Assembly. Such a show of force supporting
democracy presented a fait accompli to President Yoon. Within hours, he again addressed the country after ordering ROK military forces to withdraw. He cited internal political issues and implored the National Assembly to end budget disagreements and impeachment proceedings against his party. He did not mention any change in the “threat” posed by North Korean communist forces, which he claimed was the rationale for martial law. Shortly after an emergency session of President Yoon’s Cabinet, martial law was officially lifted. By perilously slim margins, democracy in Korea avoided its demise and trudged onward, determined but wobbly, into the 4th December.
resignation letters. Allegedly, Kim was a main proponent of the idea; one year senior to President Yoon, he exercised his influence to guide the ultimate decision. This allegation may have been his rationale for his abrupt resignation and current imprisonment. The US State Department quickly released a statement early on the 4th expressing its “relief ” that martial law had ended and its expectation that ROK political disagreements will be “resolved peacefully by the Rule of Law”. In an ominous omission, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also admitted that President Yoon did not notify the US before he announced martial law. Long-time Korean observers declared the
The fallout from six hours of martial law commenced instantaneously. Further events unfolded and new revelations shed light on President Yoon’s decisionmaking process that led to martial law. The ROK Minister of Defence, Kim Yong Hyun, resigned, while the entire Yoon Cabinet submitted Picture: Office of the President/Kang Min Seok
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