President Lee Schedules Address and Luncheon Marking One Year Since Martial Law
Updated (2 articles)
Announcement of Anniversary Address Made on Nov. 30, 2025 President Lee Jae Myung’s office released a statement on Nov. 30, 2025 announcing a special address later that week to mark the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol’s brief martial‑law period [1][2]. The announcement specifies that the event will be followed by a press conference and a luncheon with senior officials. It underscores the administration’s intent to publicly reflect on the crisis and its resolution.
Address Will Emphasize Citizens’ Role in Restoring Democracy Lee’s forthcoming speech will highlight how mass rallies and glow‑stick protests helped reverse the authoritarian turn and restore democratic order [1]. The narrative frames the public’s activism as the catalyst for South Korea’s return to normal political functioning within a year. This emphasis aims to reinforce the image of democratic resilience amid deep social divisions.
Press Conference to Follow With Around Eighty Foreign Reporters After the address, Lee will hold a press conference attended by roughly 80 foreign journalists, themed “restoration of South Korea’s democracy,” according to presidential secretary Lee Kyu‑yeon [1][2]. The session is designed to convey South Korea’s democratic renewal to the international community. It will provide a platform for questions about the nation’s future safeguards against similar crises.
Luncheon Planned With Top Constitutional and Legislative Officials Lee will host a luncheon with five senior officials: National Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee‑dae, Constitutional Court Chief Kim Sang‑han, Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, and National Election Commission Chair Roh Tae‑ak [1][2]. The meeting will serve to reflect on the meaning of the martial‑law episode and discuss forthcoming tasks. It signals coordinated governmental commitment to institutional stability.
Discrepancy Exists Over Exact Date of Martial Law Declaration Article 1 states Yoon Suk‑Yeol declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, citing opposition paralysis and alleged pro‑North Korean forces [1]. Article 2 describes the declaration as occurring in 2023, noting it was a brief and rare event in South Korean history [2]. Both agree the period was short, sparked widespread street protests with glow sticks, and ended with a rapid democratic recovery.
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: President Lee to Address First Anniversary of Martial Law Declaration: Details Lee’s scheduled address, press conference, and luncheon, emphasizes citizen‑driven democratic restoration, and cites a Dec 3 2024 martial‑law declaration and related protests .
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2.
Yonhap: Lee to Address First Anniversary of Martial Law Declaration: Reiterates the announcement and event lineup, highlights press conference theme and official participants, but dates the martial‑law period to 2023, focusing on official communication nuances .
Timeline
2023 – President Yoon Suk‑Yeol imposes a brief period of martial law, a rare occurrence in South Korea’s democratic history, setting a precedent that later fuels public scrutiny. [2]
Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk‑Yeol declares martial law, citing opposition paralysis and the need to root out pro‑North Korea forces; the decree triggers nationwide street protests illuminated by glow‑stick rallies. [1]
2025 (one year after Dec 3, 2024) – South Korea restores normal political order, showcasing democratic resilience and highlighting how citizen rallies helped transform the crisis into a peaceful transition. [1]
Nov 30, 2025 – The presidential office announces that President Lee Jae‑Myung will deliver a special address later that week to mark the first anniversary of the martial‑law declaration and outlines a series of follow‑up events. [1][2]
Early Dec 2025 (the week following Nov 30) – President Lee gives the special address, emphasizing the public’s role in restoring democracy and framing the past year as a testament to citizens’ ability to turn chaos into peace. [1]
Early Dec 2025 (immediately after the address) – Lee holds a press conference with about 80 foreign journalists, themed “A Renewed Democracy: One Year On” (also described as “restoration of South Korea’s democracy” by Secretary Lee Kyu‑yeon), reaffirming the nation’s democratic renewal to the international community. [1][2]
Early Dec 2025 (following the press conference) – Lee hosts a luncheon with senior officials—National Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee‑dae, Constitutional Court Chief Kim Sang‑han, Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, and Election Commission Chair Roh Tae‑ak—to reflect on the meaning of martial law and outline future democratic tasks. [1][2]