"Martial Law Declared? Is This a Country?"... Citizens Outraged During the Unprecedented 6 Hours

by Lee Kyungho

Published 04 Dec.2024 07:01(KST)

Updated 04 Dec.2024 15:57(KST)

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, and on the 4th, citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, urging the lifting of martial law. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early hours of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the night of the 3rd at 11 PM, martial law was declared, and it was lifted at 4:20 AM on the 4th, an unprecedented 6-hour period during which citizens fell into panic. Citizens mainly reacted with disbelief, saying, "What on earth is this situation in 21st century South Korea?" and "This is absurd."

On the night of the 3rd, after finishing a year-end company dinner and trying to take the subway at Euljiro 3-ga, Mr. Kim, a man in his 40s, said, "I couldn't hide my surprise after watching the news," adding, "There was chaos even in the group chat with acquaintances. Some said it was fake news," expressing confusion. Mr. Park, a man in his 30s who was at the same location, said, "It seems confusing even at work. I’m at a loss about how to handle things when I go to work tomorrow." Ms. Seo, a woman in her 20s and a university student, said, "Martial law is news you’d expect only in underdeveloped countries, so it’s astonishing to witness it in South Korea," adding, "I have no idea why martial law was declared." Mr. Lee, in his 60s, said, "I’ve experienced all sorts of things in my 60 years, but declaring martial law?what kind of country is this?" he questioned.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen announcing the lifting of the emergency martial law through an additional statement in the early morning of the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On various communities with conservative and progressive leanings, netizens uniformly harshly criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol’s declaration of martial law. Netizens said things like, "He did what shouldn’t have been done," "At this point, it’s rebellion. It might have been overlooked if they hadn’t shown the military trying to seize the National Assembly, but once the military entered the National Assembly, it was unacceptable," "It’s over," and "Even conservative men who usually supported President Yoon have turned their backs."

On the 4th, citizens cheered after hearing the news of President Yoon Seok-yeol's lifting of the emergency martial law in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

Meanwhile, when the National Assembly held a plenary session on the 4th and passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law, citizens who had been confronting the military and police in front of the main gate of the National Assembly building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, clapped and cheered. Citizens shouted toward the closed National Assembly main gate, "Open the door," "Come out immediately," and so on.