Before Oct 2023 – Special counsel finds Yoon Suk‑yeol begins planning a decree to suspend civilian rule, marking the earliest stage of the martial‑law scheme that later unfolds [3].

Oct 2023 – Prosecutors later allege Yoon and Defence Minister Kim Yong‑hyun start drafting a plan to suspend Parliament and brand opponents “anti‑state forces,” laying groundwork for the 2024 crisis [2].

Oct 2024 – Yoon orders covert drone flights over North Korea, intending to create a pretext for martial law despite no North Korean retaliation [1].

Dec 3, 2024 – Yoon declares emergency martial law, brands the liberal‑controlled legislature “anti‑state forces,” and orders troops to surround the National Assembly, initiating a six‑hour crisis [5][12].

Dec 4, 2024 (early hours) – The National Assembly votes to overturn the decree, and Yoon ends the martial‑law order within hours, prompting his impeachment proceedings [12][1].

Apr 4, 2025 – The Constitutional Court removes Yoon from office, confirming his impeachment and creating a vacancy that triggers a snap presidential election [6][12].

Jun 3, 2025 – Voters elect Lee Jae‑myung as president, restoring executive leadership under the rule of law and pledging accountability for the insurrection [1][6].

Nov 30, 2025 – President Lee announces a special address and press conference to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2024 martial‑law bid, emphasizing democratic restoration [10][11].

Dec 1, 2025 – Lee posts on X urging that unresolved “acts of insurrection” be fully addressed, warning they will “inevitably resurface someday” if ignored [9].

Dec 2, 2025 – Lee states, “the recent martial‑law crisis in Seoul demonstrated South Korea’s democratic resilience,” highlighting the swift restoration of civil liberties [5].

Dec 2, 2025 – Citizens observe the first‑anniversary ceremony at the National Assembly, walking past a commemorative stone that marks the Dec 3, 2024 decree [6].

Dec 3, 2025 – The National Assembly passes the 2026 budget of 728 trillion won, the first early approval in five years, and Lee declares martial law should be punished “as severely as Nazi crimes” [8].

Dec 5, 2025 – The Office for Government Policy Coordination launches a penalty‑exemption policy rewarding officials who self‑report involvement in the martial‑law attempt, aiming to prevent cover‑ups [4].

Nov 2025 – Forty‑eight inter‑agency task forces begin probing illegal activities linked to the martial‑law bid, reflecting a broad investigative effort [4].

Dec 2025 – Lee calls for a second special counsel and a dedicated insurrection court, signaling a push for institutional reforms to handle future threats [7].

Dec 2025 – Lee’s administration plans summit talks with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith to deepen security cooperation, linking democratic stability to regional crime responses [3].

Dec 2025 – Korea Zinc and the U.S. government anticipate a board decision on a joint 10‑trillion‑won critical‑metals refinery investment, underscoring economic priorities amid political fallout [3].

Jan 9, 2026 – A Seoul court hears arguments in Yoon’s insurrection trial, where prosecutors seek a death sentence for the former president and seven co‑defendants [2].

Jan 13, 2026 (scheduled) – The court is set to resume proceedings on Yoon’s case, determining whether the death penalty will be imposed [2].