The Announcement of Martial Law

A significant political crisis erupted in South Korea when President Yoon Seok-yeol announced a state of martial law on national television, claiming it was necessary to protect democracy from pro-North Korean forces. This unexpected declaration, the first in 45 years, caused widespread panic and confusion among citizens, who were uncertain about curfews and travel restrictions. The announcement triggered memories of South Korea's military dictatorship era, evoking a collective trauma among older generations who experienced such oppressive measures firsthand. The immediate backlash was swift, with protests emerging as citizens and political parties united against Yoon's controversial move.