Nineteen-year-old Hwang was tuned into the news on Tuesday night, observing the protests unfolding in Georgia, when the broadcast abruptly shifted focus. The attention turned to his homeland as South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yolo declared martial law.
“I was in disbelief at what I was witnessing,” stated the 19-year-old student, who requested to be identified only by his surname.
By Wednesday afternoon, he found himself among the protesters gathered outside the National Assembly, still reeling from the previous night’s events.
“My presence here signifies our opposition to Yoon’s actions,” Hwang stated.
In under six hours, Yoon was compelled to retract his surprising announcement as lawmakers rushed to intervene.
The hours were marked by chaos, igniting protests and instilling fear and uncertainty in the nation that had cast its vote for him.
The declaration
On Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT), President Yoon delivered an unexpected address to the nation in front of blue creaseless curtains.
The official stated that he was enacting martial law to safeguard the nation from “anti-state” elements that aligned themselves with North Korea. The leader faces a stalemate regarding a budget bill, overshadowed by ongoing corruption scandals and investigations involving his cabinet members.
The aftermath resulted in a night of unrest in the city of Seoul.Following Yoon’s announcement, police positioned themselves at the white metal gates outside the National Assembly building in the centre of Seoul. The nation’s tourism authorities have characterised this building as “the symbol of Korean democracy.”
In a significant development, the military declared the suspension of all parliamentary activities, citing the imposition of martial law. Despite the critical security measures, thousands of individuals converged in front of the assembly, driven by concern and anger.
South Korea, a nation now recognised for its vibrant democracy, has not always enjoyed such political freedom. The country emerged from a period of military rule as recently as 1987, a fact that can easily be overlooked in discussions of its current democratic status. The last instance of martial law being imposed occurred in 1979.
“This was a move I never expected to see in the 21st century in South Korea,” remarked university student Juye Hong during an interview with BBC World Service’s OS programme from Seoul.
The frantic rush
In the wake of Yoon’s unexpected announcement, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, took to live streaming to call for a gathering at the National Assembly, encouraging citizens to protest.
He urged his fellow lawmakers to convene to reject the order in the assembly.
Hundreds of individuals in South Korea have reacted.
Tensions escalated rapidly as a crowd clad in dark, puffy winter coats surged towards lines of police dressed in neon jackets, vocally opposing martial law with chants of “no to martial law.”
As military units arrived in vehicles, they were met with crowds obstructing their passage. A woman positioned herself resolutely beneath the wheels of a car.
Meanwhile, a veneer of normalcy prevailed throughout the remainder of Seoul. Despite the circumstances, the city remained shrouded in confusion.
“The streets appear to be ordinary, yet the residents here are undoubtedly perplexed,” stated John Nilsson-Wright, an associate professor at the University of Cambridge, during an interview World Service from Seoul.
He noted that the officer he consulted expressed a level of confusion that mirrored his own.
For some, the night was marked by restlessness and a lack of sleep. “Initially, I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of skipping school today,” remarked 15-year-old Kwon Hoo in an interview with the BBC in Seoul on Wednesday. “However, a profound sense of fear took hold, preventing me from sleeping throughout the night.”
“I cannot adequately convey the fear I feel that our situation could resemble that of North Korea,” a South Korean, who requested anonymity, shared OS.
As events unfolded, reports began circulating that special forces had been dispatched to the assembly building. As helicopters circled the skies above, their sounds echoed through the air before they landed on the parliament’s roof.
Journalists manoeuvred through the crowd outside the gates, capturing images with their cameras.
Amid rising apprehensions regarding potential government restrictions on the media, journalists in Seoul maintained communication with each other, sharing strategies for ensuring their safety.
Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the 35-year-old spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party, encountered a tense standoff with soldiers who had their weapons drawn.
A video capturing the moment she tugs at the barrel of a soldier’s rifle has rapidly gained viral attention.
“I wasn’t engaged in any intellectual or rational thought; I simply felt, ‘We must put an end to this because if we don’t, there will be nothing left,'” she stated in an interview.
Initially, I felt a sense of fear upon encountering the martial law troops. One cannot help but wonder, ‘Is this a reality that could unfold in 21st-century Korea, particularly within the National Assembly?
“Reflecting on the tumultuous events of last night, she remarked that returning to reality proved to be a challenge,” she said, reminiscing about the previous evening. “It was as if I were observing a backward movement in history.”
As Ahn faced off against the soldiers, time was of the essence for opposition lawmakers, who hurried to enter the assembly to thwart the order. Following that event, the president would be compelled to retract it.
Initially, it was essential for MPs and their aides to gain entry. Some individuals manoeuvred through the legs of security personnel, while others shouted and pushed against armed soldiers; many desperately scrambled over fences and walls.
Lee Seong-yoon, a member of the Democratic Party, recounted to the BBC his experience of climbing a 1.5-meter (4.9-foot) fence to gain access to the building. He noted that police continued to obstruct his entry despite his presentation of identification confirming his status as a lawmaker.
In a recent statement, opposition MP Hong Keewon revealed that demonstrators played a crucial role in helping him scale the wall. As he lay asleep, Yoon’s announcement pierced through the quiet, prompting his wife to rouse him. In a flurry, he hurried to parliament.
“Democracy is robust in this region,” Hong stated. “The military must heed the voices of the people, adhere to the constitution, and not be swayed by the president.The decision-making process.
Lawmakers gathered closely inside the building, their demeanour only marginally more composed than the crowd outside. Frantically, they secured the entrances using various available items: cushioned benches, long tables, and sofas.
Efforts were made to repel soldiers who had entered the assembly building.
At 01:00 local time, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik put forth a resolution calling for lifting martial law.
In a swift response to Yoon’s unexpected announcement, a group of 190 lawmakers convened less than two hours later, including members from Yoon’s party, and cast a unanimous vote to oppose the declaration.
Following the vote, opposition leader Lee addressed reporters, stating that this represented “a decisive opportunity to break the vicious cycle and return to normal society.”
At 04:30, Yoon reappeared on television in front of the familiar blue curtains, announcing his decision to withdraw martial law. However, he indicated that the official announcement would only occur once he had gathered enough cabinet members to revoke the order.
Outside the assembly, the announcement elicited enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. As dawn approached, more individuals began to exit the building, stepping out from behind the makeshift barricades they had assembled.
The stately building, marked by holes in its doors and shattered windows, is a testament to the tumultuous night when South Koreans rallied to protect their democracy.
On Wednesday morning, schools, local businesses, and banks operated as usual, while flights continued to arrive without interruption in the vibrant capital of South Korea.
However, public outrage and the subsequent political repercussions were far from over.
On Wednesday morning, a large crowd assembled to demand the resignation of Yoon. The president is currently embroiled in impeachment proceedings.
