Martial Law and Political Polarization: What’s in Store for South Korea?
Josephine Ørgaard Rasmussen and Mats Engman
Abstract
On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared emergency martial law, shocking both the country and the rest of the world. However, the martial law was only in place for a few hours before being rescinded by the National Assembly. Yoon’s decision to impose martial law sparked protests in both civic society and the opposition, with many urging that he and his supporters accept responsibility for their actions. Following weeks of uncertainty and a lack of consistent action to deal with the fallout from the martial law debacle, the National Assembly impeached Yoon on December 14, stripping him of presidential powers while the Constitutional Court conducts an investigation. The long-term implications, both domestic and external, will be significant, as South Korea continues to face uncertainty due to radical changes in leadership, prolonged political polarization, and an unclear foreign policy direction over the next 6-12 months.
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