South Korea: Liberal, conservative groups to gather in Yeouido to mark 1st martial law anniversary
Seoul, Dec. 2 (LatestNewsX) – Across Seoul’s downtown, liberal and conservative civic groups are set to stage separate demonstrations outside the National Assembly on Wednesday, commemorating the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to declare martial law.
Around 3,000 activists from liberal factions will assemble at Exit 5 of the National Assembly Station in Yeouido at 7 p.m., intent on recalling how they resisted the December 3 martial‑law order and pressed for Yoon’s impeachment. President Lee Jae‑myung is confirmed to join the outdoor rally, as announced by the presidential office. After the rally, the demonstrators plan to march toward the headquarters of the leading opposition‑party, People Power Party (PPP), also situated in Yeouido.
Earlier that day, members of Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions—an outspoken labor group—will conduct their own rallies at the same location. Meanwhile, roughly 400 conservative supporters of Yoon are scheduled to gather at Exit 3 of the National Assembly Station at 2 p.m. to demand Lee Jae‑myung’s resignation, then proceed to the Democratic Party and PPP headquarters. A separate conservative bloc intends to rally in front of the PPP HQ at 3 p.m., asserting the legitimacy of Yoon’s martial‑law decree and opposing the party’s public apology.
Yoon’s backers also plan to convene at Hongik University Station in western Seoul on Wednesday morning before Marching toward Yongsan’s presidential office, according to Yonhap.
The 2024 martial‑law episode was a flashpoint that saw President Yoon announce the measure on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, at 22:27 KST during a televised address. The move met swift opposition from both the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition, sparking protests. The very next day, 190 legislators filled the National Assembly’s proceeding hall and unanimously voted to lift the martial‑law order, despite interference attempts from the Republic of Korea Army’s Special Warfare Command. Yoon and his cabinet subsequently rescinded the decree and dismantled the Martial‑Law Command.
The opposition launched impeachment proceedings against Yoon and pledged to continue unless he resigned. The decision triggered the resignations of several officials in his administration, including Defence Minister Kim Yong‑hyun—who had urged the president to enact martial law during a last‑moment cabinet meeting—and the minister served as the deputy chief of the martial‑law order.
Subsequent inquiries investigated Yoon, other cabinet members, and military officers for their roles in the decree. Yoon issued a public apology on Dec. 7. Kim Yong‑hyun was detained the following day, and he later attempted suicide before authorities could issue a warrant. On Dec. 12, Yoon maintained that the martial‑law declaration was a necessary “act of governance” to safeguard the state from anti‑state forces.
Most observers believe the crisis stemmed from political friction with the DPK‑dominated Assembly over repeated impeachment attempts, opposition to Yoon’s budget, and personal scandals involving him and his wife Kim Keon Hee.
The National Assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14, suspending him pending the Constitutional Court’s decision. Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo served as acting president until his own impeachment on Dec. 27, after which Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang‑mok took over as acting leader. Han’s impeachment was overturned by the court on March 24, restoring him. Yoon was arrested on Jan. 15 and indicted on Jan. 26 for leading an insurrection—making him the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest and indictment. On April 4, the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld Yoon’s impeachment, formally removing him from office over the martial‑law declaration.
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