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On December 4, 2024, South Korean celebrities criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol for declaring nationwide martial law 24 hours earlier. Entertainers like Park Myung-soo, actor Kim Gi-cheon, actress Kim Ji-woo, and others raised concerns about the authoritarian rule encroaching on the country's democracy and citizens' freedom.
Similarly, MONSTA X member IM and South Korean soloist BIBI also expressed shock over the sudden announcement and nationwide emergency.
South Korean actor Kim Gi-cheon, who is known for his roles in popular K-dramas such as It's Okay To Not Be Okay and Flower of Evil, commented on the ongoing nationwide tension. The official media and news account, @thenextasian, quoted the actor saying:
"It will be recorded in history. Don’t be a traitor."
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Meanwhile, South Korean comedian and entertainer Park Myung-soo, popular for his reality show My Name Is Gabriel, told iMBC news how surprised he was with the sudden turn of events.
"I stayed up most of the night last night because something so absurd happened. I think many people stayed up most of the night because it was an issue that the fate of the country was at stake. Who could have slept thinking this was a joke? There are many things I want to say, but they are being organized well, and everyone is working hard to quickly put things back on track, so let's trust and wait."
South Korean President declares martial law amid political crisis, sparking mass protests
In an unprecedented move on December 3, 2024, BBC reported that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, citing threats from "anti-state forces" allegedly linked to North Korea.
The announcement came during a late-night televised address, where Yoon Suk-yeol accused the opposition Democratic Party (DP) of attempting to destabilize the government and undermine the country’s democratic system. The declaration marks the first time martial law has been imposed in South Korea since its democratization in 1987.
President Yoon Suk-yeol justified the declaration by claiming that the opposition-controlled National Assembly was engaging in "seditious" activities, including obstructing legislative processes and attempting to impeach cabinet members. He alleged, without providing evidence, that some DP members harbored pro-North Korean sympathies.
Additionally, Yoon Suk-yeol pointed to ongoing corruption investigations targeting him and his wife as politically motivated attacks designed to weaken his administration. The immediate measures under martial law included banning political protests, restricting media activity, and deploying military forces in Seoul. Citizens violating these decrees faced potential arrest without warrants.
The announcement triggered widespread condemnation and mass protests. Citizens and opposition lawmakers described the move as an assault on democracy, with tanks and armed soldiers deployed to suppress dissent. Demonstrators gathered outside the National Assembly, which was temporarily sealed off by police and military forces.
Videos surfaced online showing opposition leader Lee Jae-myung climbing walls to access the legislature as lawmakers convened an emergency session to counter the declaration.
Within hours, the National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to void the martial law order. Under the South Korean constitution, such a resolution requires the president to lift martial law.
Initially, it appeared the government intended to defy the legislature, but mounting public outrage and international scrutiny forced Yoon Suk-yeol to reverse the decision early. He announced the withdrawal of troops and the cessation of martial law measures later that morning at 4.30 AM (KST) on December 4, 2024.
The Diplomat reported that Yoon Suk-yeol's approval ratings have been at historic lows, with recent polls showing only 19% of South Koreans in favor of his administration. South Korea’s history of military rule, which ended in the 1980s, made martial law a particularly sensitive issue, with fears of regression to authoritarian governance resonating strongly across the nation.
Domestically, the incident has intensified calls for Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, with netizens suggesting that this move may constitute grounds for removal. BBC reported that the defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, offered to resign after facing demands for prosecution or indictment.
While President Yoon Suk-yeol has since rescinded martial law, the incident has left South Korea deeply divided. Questions over the president's motives and the military's role in civilian governance have reignited debates about the fragility of democratic institutions. However, according to BBC, public protests in Seoul continue.
