SEOUL, South Korea — The tension in South Korea reached a boiling point after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law, leading to significant public outcry against the suspension of fundamental rights that had been hard-fought for. One pivotal incident encapsulated the enormous defiance among citizens: as lawmakers hurried to the National Assembly to counter the president’s decree, a woman in a leather coat boldly confronted a soldier tasked with blocking their entry. She seized hold of his automatic weapon and challenged him vocally, questioning his sense of shame.
When the soldier raised his firearm’s barrel toward her, she persisted, clutching it even as it was aimed at her chest, continuing her protest until he ultimately retreated. This dramatic altercation quickly spread across social media, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance and contributing to a six-hour protest that eventually led to the revocation of the martial law order early Wednesday morning.
The woman at the center of this incident, An Gwiryeong, later remarked on her actions, sharing that they were part of a broader spirit of resistance visible in the streets that chilly Tuesday evening. “I see my actions as just one part of a larger collective fight against this decree,” expressed the 35-year-old, during an interview. “Many people were present that night demonstrating remarkable valor, much more than I displayed.”
With a background as a television anchor, An shifted career paths to join the presidential campaign for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in 2022. Although she later ran as the Democratic Party’s candidate for a legislative seat in Dobong district during the 2024 elections, she faced defeat.
When President Yoon announced martial law in a televised address shortly after 10:29 p.m., An, much like many others, felt an immediate need to act. She hailed a taxi to the National Assembly, driven by the realization that numerous citizens were doing the same. While the president has the authority to declare martial law, which included prohibitions on anti-government protests and a clampdown on political activities and media, the country’s constitution permits the National Assembly to vote to lift the order.
In response to Yoon’s declaration, police and military personnel were sent to the Assembly to impede lawmakers from convening for a vote, prompting many, including An, to rush to the building in a bid to ensure the legislative body could meet. “As I reached the National Assembly, I immediately noticed the helicopter sounds overhead,” she recalled, describing a standoff unfolding between troops and the gathered public.
As she witnessed military troops attempting to breach the Assembly, An resolved to stand her ground. “We had to stop their entry,” she noted. “If they succeeded, the vote would be obstructed, leading not just to the continuation of martial law, but a collapse of our democracy itself.” It was then that she confronted the armed soldier, desperation driving her to manage the rifle he carried.
Reflecting on that moment, she shared, “I thought, ‘Is this really happening?’ There was fear, of course, since I’m just an ordinary person, but my commitment to halting their advance overpowered my anxiety. It felt surreal to witness armed soldiers poised to enter the National Assembly.”
The efforts of An and the crowd ultimately yielded results. Enough lawmakers managed to access the assembly hall, forming a quorum, and around 1 a.m., they unanimously passed a resolution to end martial law. Security forces began to withdraw shortly after. By 4:30 a.m., the martial law was officially lifted following an urgent Cabinet meeting. However, An remained at the Assembly, sensing that the situation could remain unstable.
“I couldn’t afford to relax. It was uncertain what could unfold next,” she explained, eventually returning home, though not until Thursday did the heightened tension and adrenaline subside, noting that her body now felt drained.
As for the future, she remained cautious. “The situation isn’t resolved just yet,” she stated, hinting at ongoing discussions about the potential impeachment of President Yoon.
