World
What is martial law and when was the last time it was declared in South Korea?
President Yoon’s recent declaration to dissolve civilian government is not the first time the young democracy has been controlled by the army.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has made the shocking announcement. For the first time in over four decades, martial law has been declared, abruptly halting the country’s long-standing democratic processes.
Article 77 of South Korea’s constitution says the president possesses the authority to impose martial law during times of war, significant national incidents, or other extraordinary emergencies.
When martial law is declared, the military takes control of government operations, and civil liberties are suspended. This can include the suspension of rights such as freedom of movement, free speech, and parliamentarianism, with members of the government blocked exercising their rights. It is the first time in 44 years it has been declared.
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It is not the first time that the Asian nation has dealt with military governance, experiencing martial law a total of 13 times since its establishment in 1948. South Korea’s recent past is plagued with authoritarian rule, from the autocratic dominance of first president Syngman Rhee to outright dictatorships like Major General Park Chung Hee.
South Korea’s history of military governance
The last time martial law was expanded nationally was in 1980, which was met by the Gwangju Uprising or the May 18 Democratic Uprising.
The protests were initially sparked by the closure of universities, the arrest of political dissidents, and the general discontent with the authoritarian government of Chun Doo-hwan, who had recently come to power through a military coup.
The exact number of deaths remains disputed, with estimates ranging from around 200 to over 2,000. The events of May 1980 galvanized the pro-democracy movement and contributed to the eventual transition to democratic rule in South Korea in 1987.
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