Korean History › Two Koreas › Democratization of South Korea
Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and removal
Dec 3–4, 2024; Yoon impeached Dec 14, removed Apr 4, 2025; Lee Jae-myung elected June 3, 2025· Event· Rulers & states
Well documentedSolid records, physical evidence or scientific consensus.
President Yoon Suk-yeol's failed December 2024 martial-law decree, which led to his impeachment and removal from office.
See it on the Korean History map →What happened
Late on December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열) declared emergency martial law on TV, accusing the opposition-run National Assembly of 'anti-state' activity. The decree banned political activity and put the press under military control. Troops reached the Assembly, but staff and citizens blocked them, and 190 lawmakers who got inside voted it down within about two and a half hours. Yoon lifted it before dawn. He was impeached December 14, removed April 4, 2025, and tried for insurrection.
Why it matters
It was the first martial law in 44 years; its fast defeat by lawmakers, citizens and hesitant troops, and Yoon's removal by the courts, showed how deep democratic norms run.
How we know
Live broadcasts and phone video from the Assembly, the decree's text, vote records, the Constitutional Court's unanimous ruling, and commanders' testimony at hearings and trials.
Still debated
Why Yoon acted, how far the plans went (commanders testified to lists of politicians to arrest), and how much officers deliberately slowed the troops.
Connections (3)
▸Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and removal tested Democratization of South KoreaWell documented
The connection
The decree was the first serious attempt since 1980 to use the army against elected institutions. It failed in hours: lawmakers voted it down, crowds gathered, troops hesitated, and broadcasters stayed live. Impeachment, the court's unanimous ruling and the June 2025 election that put Lee Jae-myung in office all followed constitutional procedure.
When and how
National Assembly, Yeouido, Seoul, night of December 3–4, 2024; court ruling April 4, 2025; election June 3, 2025.
How we know
The court decision, Assembly records, video evidence and commanders' testimony document each step.
Debates and open questions
Whether the crisis proved democracy strong or showed how close it came to failing; deep polarization and a January 2025 riot by Yoon supporters at a Seoul court cloud the verdict.
▸Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and removal revived a tool last used by Chun Doo-hwanWell documented
The connection
Chun's junta extended martial law nationwide on May 17, 1980, closing the Assembly and arresting opponents, which sparked the Gwangju uprising. Yoon's decree echoed it, banning political activity and putting the press under military control. Special Warfare Command troops, whose units were sent to Gwangju in 1980, went to the Assembly, but lawmakers voted it down within hours.
When and how
Seoul, May 1980 and December 2024; Yoon's martial-law commander was Army chief Park An-su, and prosecutors say defense minister Kim Yong-hyun drafted the decree.
How we know
The two decrees can be compared directly; their similar wording and the use of special forces were widely noted by historians and the press.
Debates and open questions
Why Yoon thought 1980-style measures could work in 2024, and whether the planners expected troops and the public to comply.
▸Candlelight protests and Park Geun-hye's impeachment set the impeachment precedent for Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and removalWell documented
The connection
Park's 2017 case set the playbook: an Assembly impeachment vote, suspension of powers, then Constitutional Court review. Roh Moo-hyun's 2004 impeachment had been rejected, so Park's was the first removal. When Yoon was impeached in December 2024, protesters again filled the streets, now waving K-pop light sticks, and the court removed him unanimously.
When and how
Seoul: Park removed March 10, 2017; Yoon impeached December 14, 2024, and removed April 4, 2025, both by unanimous 8–0 rulings.
How we know
The two Constitutional Court decisions, which apply the same legal test: a grave violation of the constitution or law.
Debates and open questions
Whether frequent impeachments, including of many Yoon-era officials, strengthen accountability or turn the tool into routine partisan warfare.