South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has plunged the nation into political chaos following a dramatic, late-night declaration of martial law on Tuesday, only to revoke the measure hours later amidst fierce backlash. The controversial move, which Yoon attributed to threats from North Korea and “anti-state elements,” is widely seen as an attempt to bolster his weakening presidency in the face of mounting scandals and political opposition.
Yoon, who narrowly won the presidency in 2022, has faced declining approval ratings, dropping to a record low of 17% earlier this year. His administration has been dogged by allegations of corruption involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, and a string of controversies that have alienated both his base and opposition lawmakers.
The situation reached a breaking point in April when Yoon’s conservative People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat in parliamentary elections, leaving the opposition Democratic Party in firm control of the National Assembly. The opposition has since leveraged its power to block key government initiatives, impeach cabinet officials, and slash the presidential budget.
Tuesday night’s martial law declaration, seen by critics as a “desperate and unconstitutional” move, further eroded Yoon’s political standing. Lawmakers from both sides convened hastily to override the declaration, signaling a rare moment of bipartisan unity against the embattled leader.
Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, described the move as a “legal overreach and political miscalculation.” He added, “With extremely low public support and without strong backing within his own administration, Yoon’s declaration was doomed from the start.”
International allies, including the United States and Japan, have expressed concern over the turmoil, urging South Korea to resolve the crisis within the framework of democratic institutions. Meanwhile, North Korea, which has escalated tensions with the South in recent months, is likely to exploit the instability, analysts warn.
Protests erupted nationwide on Wednesday as labor unions, opposition figures, and civic groups called for Yoon’s resignation. The Democratic Party has already initiated impeachment proceedings, while members of Yoon’s own party have demanded he withdraw from leadership.
Yoon has yet to appear publicly since the debacle, while his senior aides reportedly offered their resignations en masse. Former South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha described the situation as a “self-inflicted crisis” that leaves the president with limited options.
With public anger mounting and political allies abandoning him, Yoon’s presidency may now be on the brink of collapse. His declaration of martial law, initially seen as a bold gamble to regain control, could instead mark the final chapter of his troubled tenure.
