Martial Law Explained: Global Instances and South Korea

Martial law refers to a temporary transfer of authority from civilian government to military leadership, typically during emergencies like natural disasters, political crises, or security threats. While intended to stabilize chaotic situations, martial law often restricts civil liberties and has historically led to significant political and social consequences.

Recently, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing internal threats. The decision drew immediate backlash, marking the nation’s first invocation of martial law since the 1980 Gwangju Uprising.

Global Instances of Martial Law

Asia: A Pattern of Political Crises

• Thailand: Declared martial law in 2006 and 2014 during periods of political instability and mass protests.
• Pakistan: Imposed martial law in 1958, 1969, 1977, and 1999 following military coups and political unrest.
• Philippines: Under Ferdinand Marcos, martial law (1972–1981) aimed to curb insurgencies. A more recent declaration in 2017 sought to counter terrorism in Mindanao.
• India: Enforced a state of emergency from 1975 to 1977 to suppress political dissent and mass protests.
• China: Martial law was declared in 1989 during the Tiananmen Square protests, leading to widespread suppression of pro-democracy movements.

Middle East: Revolution and Civil Conflict

• Iran: The Islamic Revolution of 1979 prompted martial law to manage escalating unrest.
• Syria: Martial law has been intermittently declared since 2011 due to the ongoing civil war.

Africa: Leadership Overhauls and Unrest

• Zimbabwe: Imposed martial law during Robert Mugabe’s overthrow in 2017.
• Egypt: Martial law lasted from 2011 to 2014 following the Arab Spring uprisings.

Europe: Curtailing Civil Liberties

• Turkey: Declared martial law during a 1980 military coup and after the failed coup attempt in 2016.
• Poland: Imposed martial law from 1981 to 1983 to suppress the Solidarity movement and preclude Soviet intervention.

North America: Isolated Instances

• United States: Used martial law during the Civil War in 1863 to manage Union threats.
• Canada: Declared martial law during the October Crisis in 1970 in response to FLQ terrorism.

South America: Military Rule and Oppression

• Chile: Martial law prevailed under Augusto Pinochet from 1973 to 1990, following a military coup.
• Argentina: Enforced martial law during the Dirty War (1976–1983) to suppress political dissent.

Oceania: Ethnic Conflicts and Coups

• Fiji: Declared martial law in 1987, 2000, and 2006 after military coups exacerbated by ethnic tensions.

South Korea’s Latest Crisis: Martial Law Declaration

On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked South Korea with a sudden declaration of martial law, marking the first such action in decades. In his late-night address, Yoon cited threats from “anti-state forces” and claimed that martial law was essential to safeguard the nation’s stability. However, the opposition and many citizens perceived this as a drastic move to deflect from his mounting political troubles.

The announcement followed significant political challenges for Yoon, including legislative gridlock over a critical budget bill and corruption allegations involving his administration. His approval ratings had already plummeted to around 17%, and the opposition had recently proposed impeaching key government officials.

Yoon’s declaration allowed military forces to assume temporary control, with helmeted troops and police encircling the National Assembly. Media reports showed armed soldiers entering government buildings, while the military issued decrees restricting protests, political activities, and press freedoms. Despite these measures, opposition lawmakers rallied at the National Assembly, joined by thousands of citizens chanting slogans like “No martial law!”

By early Wednesday, 190 of the 300-member parliament voted to annul the declaration. Yoon conceded to the vote, lifting martial law and plunging his presidency into deeper turmoil. His actions are now seen as both a legal overreach and a political misstep, with impeachment proceedings looming as a likely outcome.