What's happened
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, citing threats from pro-North Korean forces. However, parliament swiftly voted to lift the declaration, leading to protests demanding Yoon's impeachment. Activists criticized his initial decision, viewing it as a serious overreach of power.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Times, President Yoon's declaration of martial law was met with immediate backlash, leading to protests and a parliamentary vote to rescind the order. Activists, including Cho Kuk, have vowed to pursue impeachment, stating, 'This isn’t over.' Meanwhile, Axios highlights Yoon's declining approval ratings and the political turmoil surrounding his administration, noting that his party leader also criticized the martial law decision. The U.S. has called for a peaceful resolution, reflecting international concern over South Korea's political climate.
How we got here
The situation escalated following disagreements between Yoon's People Power Party and the opposition over the national budget. Yoon's approval ratings have declined amid rising consumer prices and political strife, prompting his controversial martial law declaration.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.