Protests Erupt as South Koreans Demand President Yoon Resign Over Martial Law Order
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing growing calls for his resignation after his controversial decision to impose martial law on the country.
The order, which was issued on Tuesday, threw South Korea into chaos and took both domestic and international observers by surprise as thousands of protesters flooded the streets, and lawmakers scrambled to overturn the decision, which ultimately led to a vote in parliament to rescind the martial law order.
The sudden and dramatic developments have raised serious questions about Yoon’s leadership and the stability of his presidency as the opposition party in South Korea has been vocal in demanding Yoon’s immediate resignation. Lawmakers from the opposition physically clashed with security forces to gain access to parliament, where they successfully voted to annul the martial law declaration.
Meanwhile, even members of Yoon’s ruling party have criticized the decision, with one describing the move as “tragic” and calling for accountability for those responsible for the order. The unprecedented move has sparked intense political turmoil and jeopardized the president’s standing in the country.
The situation escalated further when more than 280 troops, supported by 24 helicopters, arrived at parliament to enforce the martial law order. However, despite the heavy military presence, 190 lawmakers defied the troops and pushed through the gates to cast their votes against the president’s decision.
This standoff highlighted the deep divide in the country over Yoon’s leadership and raised concerns about the rule of law and democracy in South Korea.
The international community has also reacted with alarm. The United States, a key ally of South Korea, expressed surprise at the lack of prior consultation regarding the martial law order, particularly given the presence of nearly 30,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country. China, which maintains close ties with North Korea, urged its citizens in South Korea to remain calm, while Japan expressed “exceptional and serious concerns” over the situation. The global reaction underscores the far-reaching implications of the political crisis unfolding in South Korea.
