TOKYO — The dramatic scenes in Seoul, marked by armed troops and agitated legislators rushing the South Korean parliament in response to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law, may seem unexpected. However, this disturbance, unfolding into Wednesday with opposition leaders pushing for impeachment and demanding the president’s resignation, can be understood against the backdrop of South Korea’s recent political turbulence.
The announcement of martial law has stirred confusion and anger among the populace, prompting many to reflect on Yoon’s brief emergency measure within the framework of the country’s fraught political landscape. Recent events have highlighted significant societal issues, from a nationwide doctors’ strike to tumultuous court cases surrounding opposition leaders, shedding light on the unrest that has characterized South Korean politics.
The ongoing strike by thousands of junior doctors, which began on February 20, has significantly impacted healthcare across the nation. These medical professionals have chosen to halt patient care and surgeries in protest against government initiatives aimed at increasing medical school admissions. This labor action comes amid a pressing demographic crisis in South Korea, which has one of the most rapidly aging and declining populations in the developed world, causing widespread challenges for families in accessing medical care.
The government’s proposal to bolster annual medical school admissions by 2,000 above the current 3,058 is intended to create an additional 10,000 doctors by 2035. Yoon’s administration has adopted a strict stance, emphasizing that the strike poses a severe threat to society, with warnings of license suspensions for those who do not comply. While some argue that a rise in the number of doctors could lead to unnecessary medical treatments and increased public spending, critics suggest that junior doctors’ motivations might stem from concerns over their own financial futures rather than patient care.
In the broader political arena, the South Korean opposition is grappling with its challenges. Investigations and legal controversies surrounding political elites are commonplace in the country, with many former presidents and their close associates embroiled in scandals. The current opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 elections, faces his own corruption allegations and has recently been convicted of violating election laws, leading to a suspended prison sentence.
Lee argues that the divisive tactics employed by Yoon have further poisoned the political atmosphere. Having sustained a serious injury and subsequently undergoing surgery earlier this year, Lee has been vocal in his condemnation of Yoon’s political maneuvering. With several ongoing trials and a potential Supreme Court ruling on the horizon before the next presidential election in March 2027, the political landscape remains uncertain. Lee continues to assert his innocence.
The implications of Yoon’s declaration of martial law could be significant for Lee, potentially paving the way for a presidential by-election should Yoon be forced from power. On Wednesday, Lee was seen livestreaming his entry into the National Assembly after evading police and military presence, reflecting the increasing tensions in the political sphere.
Reflecting on South Korea’s recent political past, many citizens recall the historic downfall of former President Park Geun-hye, whose impeachment in 2016 following massive protests marked a significant moment in the nation’s democracy. After months of demonstrations involving millions, Park became the first leader to be removed from office through impeachment since democratic reforms took hold in the late 1980s.
Convicted of bribery and other charges, Park, the daughter of the late dictator Park Chung-hee, had initially achieved a groundbreaking electoral victory but faced severe backlash leading to her ousting. Ultimately, her controversial alliance with confidante Choi Soon-sil and accusations of extortion from major corporations, such as Samsung, led to her imprisonment. Despite being pardoned in 2021, Park’s legacy continues to loom over the current political climate as citizens and lawmakers grapple with ongoing unrest and uncertainty over the future of South Korea’s leadership.