At 10:30 PM on December 3rd, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in a hastily convened emergency press conference, setting off a chain of events that culminated in the National Assembly overturning the declaration in a dramatic overnight session. The president cited obstruction by the opposition Democratic Party (DP), including budget cuts and impeachment attempts against government officials, as justification for the unprecedented move.
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President Yoon Suk-yeol addresses the nation
A Timeline of the Night’s Events
The declaration of martial law sparked immediate condemnation and swift action from the opposition. Here’s a timeline of how the night unfolded:
Initial Reactions and Escalation
- 10:49 PM: Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), condemned President Yoon’s decision.
- 10:56 PM: DP leader Lee Jae-myung declared the martial law decree illegal and called for lawmakers to assemble at the National Assembly. The DP holds a majority in the parliament.
- 11:50 PM: Police blocked access to the National Assembly building as lawmakers and journalists attempted to enter. Shortly after, armed soldiers moved into the building.
- 12:00 AM (December 4th): More soldiers arrived in the Yeouido district of western Seoul via helicopter and attempted to enter the National Assembly.
- 12:45 AM: Approximately 100 protestors gathered outside the National Assembly, calling for the repeal of martial law.
- 12:47 AM: DP lawmakers convened within the National Assembly to discuss overturning the martial law declaration. Simultaneously, soldiers broke windows and attempted to force entry into the assembly hall.
Soldiers attempt to enter the National Assembly
The Assembly’s Response
- 12:57 AM: Lawmakers took their seats in the assembly hall.
- 12:58 AM: DP leader Lee Jae-myung entered the assembly hall.
Lawmakers gather in the National Assembly
- 1:00 AM: The vote to overturn the martial law declaration commenced.
- 1:01 AM: The National Assembly voted unanimously to end martial law, with all 190 attending members voting in favor of the motion.
The National Assembly votes to end martial law
Aftermath and Presidential Response
- 1:02 AM: The Speaker of the National Assembly declared martial law void.
- 1:06 AM: National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik affirmed the parliament’s commitment to upholding democracy and demanded the withdrawal of military and police personnel from the building. Military helicopters began departing the National Assembly.
- 1:07 AM: Assembly aides continued to block access to the assembly hall.
Assembly aides block access to the assembly hall
- 1:14 AM: President Yoon’s office remained silent on the National Assembly’s vote. Legally, the president is obligated to lift martial law if the National Assembly votes to do so with a majority of its members (at least 151).
- 1:17 AM: Former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk stated that the president’s failure to comply with the National Assembly’s vote would be an illegal act and grounds for impeachment, calling the situation a national crisis.
- 1:21 AM: PPP leader Han Dong-hoon confirmed that martial law was no longer in effect.
- 1:23 AM: Soldiers withdrew from the National Assembly building.
Soldiers withdraw from the National Assembly
- 1:26 AM: Helicopters carrying soldiers departed from outside the rear gate of the National Assembly.
- 1:27 AM: Protests against President Yoon continued to grow outside the National Assembly.
Protests grow outside the National Assembly
- 1:30 AM: National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that no soldiers remained at the National Assembly.
- Approximately 4:30 AM (December 4th): President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the lifting of martial law following the National Assembly vote.
