Given its history and relevance in global history, the martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-Yeol has received widespread reactions from the country’s citizens and indeed all of the international community.
The declaration has upturned events with unanticipated consequences, leaving the country in what some political critics have described as a “chaotic situation”.
The tussle between President Yoon and the parliament has reached a critical point, with the latter voting 190 to 0 to lift the martial law which has been deemed unconstitutional by a lot of its citizens.
A welcomed development or otherwise
The opposition to the President’s order comes both within his party as well as the opposition’s. In the televised speech, the president accused the Democratic Party of sabotaging his interests by allying with “North Korea Communists”, in order to promote propaganda he described as “anti-state activities.” This has led to nationwide protests in many parts of the country.
The president made the declaration on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The order incited a number of reactions.
Some of the effects of the order included the prohibition of political (participation) activities such as the National Assembly and the suspension of freedom of press.
This total deviation from freedom and liberty, tenets of democracy, has reportedly thrown the country into a crisis.
Background
This correspondent gathered that the short lived order spanning from 10:27 PM 3rd of December to 4:30 AM (UTC+9), 4th of December 2024, by the presidency were borne out of a string of events including opposition to budgets, impeachment attempts of scandalous prosecutors, and unproven allegations of North Korea involvement in the affairs of the government.
Sources familiar with the development noted that the ruling temporarily threw the country off balance, resulting in protests, consequently causing the National Assembly to defy its dissolution order and allowed for a vote to be made in favour of lifting the ban.
Where do the lawmakers stand?
In seeking a redress, South Korean lawmakers have seized the opportunity to begin impeachment proceedings against President Yoon, amidst mounting pressure from the protesters.
How is the world reacting?
These developments from the Asian continent have sparked a number of reactions from observers around the globe.
In Nigeria, an Endsars forefront runner, Rinu Oduala, has weighed in on the ongoing crisis. She made a comparison between the current situation in South Korea and Nigeria.
“What happened in South Korea with the martial law and its immediate lift is what happens when you do not have figurehead senate presidents wearing Tinubu’s cap of allegiance, or spineless Nigerian politicians taking the knee,” she noted on X (formerly Twitter). Adding that, “Separation of powers is the foundation of democracy.”
Also speaking on the crisis, another X user identified as @MichaelCletus17, urged all Nigerians to emulate the people of South Korea in how they tackled oppression.
He said, “South Korea’s president tried to impose martial law by night while the people slept so he could take away democracy and not be impeached… However, the people came out same night en masse to protest, to fight for their democracy.
“There are videos of several MPs jumping the fence of the parliament building to get in and vote against the martial law. The MPs and citizens fought together as one, fought for their democracy. No one’s coming to save us.”
Another X user, @Shehuski, said, “If South Korea were to be Nigeria, you will be counting hundreds of dead bodies right now. The South Korean military are human beings, the Nigerian military are non living things.”
Another commentator, @Olisa_lota, said, “South Koreans are a group of people with same norms and values. Their actions can’t happen in Nigeria because Nations forced to become Nigerians are different in norms, beliefs and values thereby making it next to impossible for us to stand together and achieve a goal.”
What you should know
Yoon Suk-Yeol assumed office as president of South Korea on May 10, 2022, upon defeating Democratic Party nominee Lee Jae-Myung by a narrow margin. His government has received poor approval ratings, falling as low as 17% in November.
