In December of 2024 Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and deployed soldiers around the government building in an attempt to prevent politicians from reaching the building, however in a few hours the lawmakers were able to gather just enough people to hold a quick election, invalidating the presidents declaration of martial law. Following the confusing events, President Yeol was formally impeached and removed from office with Han Duck-soo becoming acting president. On January 3rd it was announced that President Yeol was being investigated for rebellion and treason. Throughout February, Former President Yeol was put on trial and made many claims throughout in an attempt to justify his actions, saying, “external forces, including North Korea, along with anti-state elements within our society were working together to seriously threaten our national security and sovereignty.”, despite these claims of foreign interference, the reason why the martial law was declared was in order to force a bill through the national assembly, which was controlled by an opposing party and had been choking out a bill the president’s party attempted to pass. This bill, was an anti-espionage law that would grant the South Korean intelligence service the ability to prosecute foreign nationals spying on Korea. Up until now, this bill wasn’t needed as the South Korean government doesn’t recognize North Korea, and so North Koreans are considered South Korean nationals, this bill would allow the Prosecution of Chinese spies which have become an increasing problem. However, on February 20th, a decision was made by the court on his Impeachment, the Korean court declared that the impeachment is upheld, and now it goes back to the national assembly for a final vote on whether or not to reinstate or remove him from office. These events relate to what we have learned in class through the idea of National Security. President Yoon Suk Yeol claimed that the opposing party was creating a national security issue, which would give him justification to declare the Marshal law.
