In brief
On December 3, 2024, South Korea is experiencing a significant political upheaval following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.
South Korea is currently grappling with a political crisis as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on the evening of December 3, 2024, through an unexpectedly issued decree. In reaction, Lee Jae-myung, the prominent opposition leader and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, mobilized his supporters and party members to assemble at the National Assembly in Seoul, urging a formal binding resolution to dismiss the martial law measure.During a live social media broadcast on his way to the Assembly, Lee warned that the president might use military force to prevent dissenting votes, stating, “The people should defend this nation. Please come to the National Assembly.” This call to action drew thousands of supporters who rallied at the political heart of South Korea, standing against what they view as an authoritarian move by the government.Lee Jae-myung's journey to power is noteworthy. Coming from humble beginnings, he started as a sweatshop worker, with his parents working low-paying jobs. He eventually spent two decades fighting for labor rights as a lawyer before entering the political arena in the mid-2000s. His ascension within the Democratic Party saw him serve as mayor and then provincial governor, culminating in the party achieving a supermajority in the National Assembly in April 2020.In the 2022 presidential elections, Lee positioned himself as a champion of progressive policies, advocating for widespread social programs that included universal basic income and government-backed personal loans, gaining substantial popular support from the electorate. As tensions rise in the National Assembly, the nation watches closely to see how this standoff between President Yoon and Lee Jae-myung unfolds amidst widespread calls for civic engagement and resistance.
