On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law citing the need to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom." This move was met with immediate resistance from the National Assembly which swiftly voted to repeal the decree with unanimous support across party lines. Facing mounting pressure, Yoon revoked the martial law declaration hours later.

In response to the declaration, the opposition-controlled National Assembly acted swiftly. On December 14, 2024, they passed a motion to impeach President Yoon, accusing him of violating his constitutional duties and undermining the rule of law. After the vote, President Yoon was immediately suspended from office pending a decision by the Constitutional Court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president; however, his tenure was short-lived, due to his own impeachment by the National Assembly on December 26, 2024. He was accused of obstructing the investigation into President Yoon's declaration of martial law and failing to uphold democratic principles. The next day, finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepped in as the new acting president, becoming South Korea's third leader in less than a month.

The political upheaval ignited widespread public demonstrations across South Korea. Massive rallies, both supporting and opposing President Yoon's impeachment, were held in major cities. Those who support the president have argued that Yoon should be reinstated because his actions were necessary to maintain national security, while others believe it was an unconstitutional power grab, and he should be permanently removed from office.

On 4 April, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment in a unanimous 8–0 decision, which formally removed President Yoon from office, marking its longest deliberation in Korean history.

President Yoon's removal from office makes him the shortest-serving president under the democratic history of South Korea.

The military's involvement during the martial law declaration is unclear. High-ranking military officials faced investigations regarding their roles in enforcing the decree. Arrest warrants were issued for several senior officers, including the Army Chief of Staff and the Chief of the Defence Counterintelligence Command. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was also indicted on charges of insurrection for his role alongside the President. Kim has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the martial law declaration was a necessary response to actions by the opposition party and efforts to investigate alleged election fraud. The situation has raised questions about South Korea’s civilian-military relations and the potential for military influence in political affairs.

Aside from the political fallout, the crisis has contributed to economic uncertainty leading to weakened consumer confidence and fluctuations in financial markets. Exchange-traded funds associated with South Korea declined by up to 5%, and the KOSPI index saw substantial decrease. In February 2025, the Bank of Korea cut interest rates for the third time since October 2024 to boost the economy.

For more information on South Korea’s latest political crisis, see the resources below:

Videos:

• ABC – South Korean president declares martial law.
• CBC – Martial law: How South Korean politics spun out of control | About That
• France 24 – Huge crowds march in rival rallies for and against South Korea’s impeached president.
• NHK World Japan News – Yoon trials are a decisive moment for South Korea.

Articles:

• South Korea | Council on Foreign Relations
• What is martial law and why did South Korea's president declare it then revoke it hours later? – ABC News
• South Korea tells schools to close, puts police on standby amid fears of civil disorder following ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment | Sky News Australia
• How a Dior handbag, a tax scandal, and a furore over the price of spring onions triggered Yoon Suk Yeol's downfall – ABC News