DiscoverWhat in the WorldMartial law: What is it and what happened in South Korea?
Martial law: What is it and what happened in South Korea?

Martial law: What is it and what happened in South Korea?

Update: 2024-12-041
Share

Description

South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the country on Tuesday night when, out of the blue, he declared martial law in the country. It’s the first time such an order has been passed there in nearly 50 years. Yoon cited "anti-state forces" and the threat from North Korea. But it soon became clear that the move may have been politically motivated.

Within hours thousands of people gathered in protest, and opposition lawmakers rushed to remove the measure. Julie Yoonnyung Lee, a BBC World Service reporter, talks us why the announcement was so shocking - and how it could impact South Korea’s democracy.

Plus, Emilia Jansson from the What in the World team shares which other countries have used martial law, and why.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Emilia Jansson
Editor: Verity Wilde

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Martial law: What is it and what happened in South Korea?

Martial law: What is it and what happened in South Korea?

BBC World Service