"I spent the night anxiously awake" — Gong Yoo reflects on the night when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared nationwide martial law

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law across South Korea on the evening of December 3, 2024. The decision, claimed by the president as necessary to quell “anti-state forces” and protect national security, lasted less than 24 hours before being overturned by the National Assembly. The declaration triggered a political crisis, with widespread public outrage and calls for the president's resignation.

According to reporter Kim Ha-yeon's article, South Korean superstar, Gong Yoo, shared how shocked he was to witness a nationwide martial law. As per the translation provided Allkpop, Gong Yoo said:

"On the morning of the 4th, I had other commitments, so I was sitting at my desk doing some work. Suddenly, people I worked with on 'Trunk' started messaging me on KakaoTalk, and the chatrooms were in chaos. That’s when I turned on the TV and watched the live broadcast."

He reflected that it felt surreal like a scene from a movie and revealed that he couldn't sleep the entire night, feeling anxious.

"What I saw was something unbelievable, like a scene from a movie. It was a situation I never imagined I’d experience in my lifetime. Like everyone else, I spent the night anxiously awake, unable to sleep until martial law was lifted."

Gong Yoo's latest Netflix Korean limited series, The Trunk, was released on November 29, 2024. The suspense thriller consists of eight episodes and also stars The Beauty Inside famed actress Seo Hyun-jin.

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President Yoon Suk-yeol declares martial law in South Korea: Key developments and aftermath

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s emergency address, delivered just before the declaration, accused “domestic anti-state actors” of threatening national stability and security. While specific threats were not publicly detailed, the government cited increased tensions between the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DPK) and rising public dissent as key factors.

"To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law," President Yoon Suk-yeo said.

The declaration allowed for expanded military authority, including the suspension of civil liberties such as freedom of assembly and press, and enabled the arrest of individuals without warrants.

Reuters reported that the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which controls the majority in the National Assembly, characterized the declaration as a politically motivated attempt to consolidate power.

The martial law order sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers and civil society groups. Within hours of its implementation, the opposition-led National Assembly convened an emergency session and unanimously voted to terminate the declaration, invoking their constitutional authority to counteract martial law.

By 4.08 am on December 4, military forces began withdrawing from government buildings, and President Yoon formally lifted the order shortly after at 4.27 am.

This marked the first imposition of martial law in South Korea since democratization in 1987. Under Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution, a president must notify the National Assembly when declaring martial law, giving legislators the power to vote for its cancellation—a provision that lawmakers acted upon swiftly.

Recent opinion polls show that over 58% of South Koreans support either the resignation or impeachment of President Yoon, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with his leadership. South Korean prosecutors have launched an investigation into President Yoon Suk-yeol, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned following the incident.

The investigation will focus on whether the martial law declaration violated constitutional provisions and national laws. Prosecutors are also examining reports that senior military officials were involved in drafting plans for the declaration weeks in advance.

The Straits Times reported that Kim Yong-hyun, who oversaw the military’s response, has been placed under a travel ban. Prosecutors have yet to impose restrictions on President Yoon or Interior Minister Lee but have indicated that all individuals involved in the decision-making process will be thoroughly investigated.

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The DPK has initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk-yeol, but the PPP’s significant minority in the National Assembly may block the motion. Public protests are likely to continue in Seoul, South Korea.