Martial law debacle revives painful memories in South Korea

Massive protests erupt following President's late-night decree and subsequent revocation

- Wendy Teo

SEOUL - A six-hour brush with martial law has revived the ghosts of South Korea's past, making it hard for people to move past the latest political crisis to engulf the country.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law late on Dec 3, citing threats from North Korea, has evoked the trauma of a dark period in South Korea's history, when it was periodically placed under harsh laws in the early 1980s.

It explains - to some extent - the emotional spasm now seizing the country, with massive protests erupting in major cities including Seoul, Ulsan and Gwangju.

Mr Yoon was forced to revoke his martial law order at around 4.30am on Dec 4, after 190 out of 300 lawmakers flocked to the National Assembly and voted to block the decree during a pre-dawn emergency meeting.

The President's political allies have now turned on him, with his own party mulling over an impeachment.

Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, said by the Defence Ministry on Dec 4 to have advised Mr Yoon to impose martial law, has offered to quit.

Mr Yoon's entire Cabinet and all his presidential aides have also asked to resign. They are said to have opposed the President's idea of calling for martial law during a snap Cabinet meeting.

Despite their objections, he went ahead with his plans.

Political theatre aside, what happened over the last day has dealt a visceral blow to the country's identity as a democracy. South Koreans told The Straits Times that they are left very much shaken, even as they try to carry on with their daily lives.