South Korea Marks One Year Since Martial‑Law Crisis Amid Ongoing Investigations and New Presidency
Updated (2 articles)
Martial Law Declaration and Immediate Reversal President Yoon Suk‑yeol invoked emergency martial law on Dec 3 2024, claiming opposition interference and pro‑North Korean forces, and announced it from the presidential office [2]. The following day, troops entered the National Assembly, but lawmakers voted at 1:01 a.m. to nullify the decree, and Yoon formally ended the order at 4:27 a.m. [1][2].
Constitutional Court Removal and Snap Election The Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office on Apr 4 2025 after a 111‑day impeachment process, delivering a unanimous decision [2][1]. A snap presidential election held on Jun 3 2025 elected Lee Jae‑myung, restoring executive leadership under the rule of law [1][2].
Arrests of Former President and Ongoing Probes A January 2025 warrant led to Yoon’s first arrest during a protest at the Seoul Western District Court, and a second arrest in July followed investigations into the martial‑law bid, a 2023 Marine death case, and alleged corruption involving his wife [2]. Special counsel investigations this month confirmed Yoon ordered the arrest of lawmakers who climbed the Assembly walls and revealed former first lady Kim Keon‑hee’s influence, highlighting state‑violence abuses [1].
President Lee’s Calls for Justice and Legislative Reforms President Lee urged a full exposure of “hidden shadows of insurrection,” emphasizing national unity and democratic resilience [1]. The ruling People Power Party proposed a special court for insurrection cases and revisions to “distortion of justice” provisions, prompting concerns about judicial independence [1].
Economic Recovery and International Engagement South Korea hosted the APEC summit in October 2025, the KOSPI index surpassed 4,000 points, and the Bank of Korea raised its 2025 growth forecast from 0.9 % to 1 % [2]. A survey showed only 46 % public trust in the special counsel investigations, with 77 % perceiving increased political polarization since the crisis [1].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Korea’s First‑Anniversary of the 2024 Martial‑Law Crisis: A Fact‑Based Overview: Provides a detailed timeline of the Dec 3‑4 2024 events, constitutional restoration, special counsel findings, Lee’s unity message, party reform proposals, and public trust statistics .
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2.
Yonhap: South Korea’s 2024 Martial‑Law Crisis Ends with Democratic Resilience: Highlights the declaration, Assembly overturn, court impeachment, Yoon’s arrests, protest dynamics, economic indicators, and the October APEC summit .
Timeline
Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk‑yeol declares emergency martial law, citing opposition interference and pro‑North Korean forces, and announces it in a live address from the presidential office, an act later described as terror against democracy[2].
Dec 4, 2024 – After troops storm the National Assembly, lawmakers convene at 1:01 a.m. and vote to nullify the martial‑law decree; Yoon announces its termination at 4:27 a.m., marking a rapid reversal of the crisis[2].
Jan 2025 – A warrant for Yoon’s arrest is issued, prompting a protest at Seoul’s Western District Court as investigators pursue charges tied to the martial‑law bid and other scandals[2].
Apr 4, 2025 – The Constitutional Court unanimously removes former President Yoon Suk‑yeol from office, upholding impeachment after 111 days and clearing the way for a snap presidential election[1][2].
Jun 3, 2025 – Voters elect Lee Jae‑myung as president, restoring executive leadership under the rule of law and signaling democratic recovery following the crisis[1][2].
Jul 2025 – Yoon is arrested a second time as investigations expand to include the 2023 Marine death probe and alleged corruption involving his wife, intensifying political tensions[2].
Oct 2025 – South Korea hosts the APEC summit, the KOSPI index climbs above 4,000 points, and the Bank of Korea raises its 2025 growth forecast to 1 %, reflecting economic confidence amid democratic resilience[2].
Dec 2, 2025 – The first anniversary of the Dec 3 2024 martial‑law declaration is observed; citizens walk past a commemorative stone at the National Assembly, reflecting on the crisis a year later[1].
Dec 2025 – Ongoing special‑counsel investigations confirm Yoon ordered arrests of protesting lawmakers and reveal former first lady Kim Keon‑hee’s influence; President Lee calls for the nation to “fully expose the hidden shadows of insurrection” and open a door to a just, united country, urging justice and unity[1].
Dec 2025 – The ruling People Power Party proposes a special court for insurrection cases and tougher “distortion of justice” penalties for prosecutors and judges, sparking debate over judicial independence, while a poll shows only 46 % trust the investigations and polarization remains high[1].