South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who briefly declared martial law on Tuesday, December 3, faces mounting criticism and political instability in a turbulent presidency defined by controversy, dwindling public support, and fraught governance. The declaration, citing “anti-state forces” and “threats” from North Korea, was swiftly overturned a day later following backlash from lawmakers and mass protests.
Born in 1960 in Seoul, Yoon rose from his roots as a celebrated prosecutor to a conservative political leader. His presidency, however, has been mired in crises that have tested his administration’s credibility and stability.
On Tuesday, Yoon shocked the nation and international observers by declaring martial law. He claimed it was necessary to counter opposition forces he labeled as “anti-state” and to safeguard the country from North Korea’s growing threats. The decision immediately sparked a constitutional crisis, drawing condemnation from opposition lawmakers and igniting protests in major cities.
By Wednesday, lawmakers, defying security forces, overwhelmingly voted against the declaration. The streets of Seoul and other cities swelled with protesters demanding Yoon’s resignation. Bowing to public and political pressure, Yoon rescinded the martial law declaration, leaving analysts scrambling to interpret his motivations.
“This move appears to be a miscalculated political gamble,” said political analyst Kim Tae-hoon. “Declaring martial law in a democratic society is bound to face immense backlash, and Yoon’s administration should have foreseen the consequences.”
Yoon Suk Yeol’s presidency has been tumultuous since his narrow election victory in March 2022. Elected as a political outsider with no prior legislative experience, Yoon campaigned on promises of taking a hardline stance against North Korea and rooting out corruption. However, his approval ratings have steadily declined, reaching an all-time low of 19% last week, according to Gallup Korea.
Criticism of Yoon has come from multiple fronts, including his handling of the economy, high-profile controversies involving his family, and responses to national tragedies.
- Economic Woes: Yoon has faced relentless criticism for failing to address rising food prices and stagnant economic growth. South Korea’s middle class, struggling under inflation, has expressed growing frustration with his administration’s inability to implement effective economic reforms.
- Controversies Surrounding His Wife: Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, has been a recurring source of scandal. Allegations of stock manipulation, accepting expensive gifts, and other improprieties have tarnished Yoon’s image. Yoon’s use of presidential vetoes to block investigations into her actions has fueled perceptions of cronyism.
- Family Legal Troubles: Adding to the controversy, Yoon’s mother-in-law, Choi Eun-soon, is currently serving a prison sentence for financial document forgery in a real estate deal. Critics argue that Yoon’s association with such scandals underscores a broader problem of privilege and impunity within his administration.
- Tragedy Mismanagement: The Halloween crowd crush of 2022, which claimed 159 lives, remains a dark spot in Yoon’s presidency. His administration faced harsh criticism for inadequate safety measures and poor emergency responses during the disaster.
Public sentiment against Yoon has manifested in petitions calling for his impeachment. A widely circulated petition earlier this year gained such traction that the parliamentary website hosting it crashed under the load. Despite such setbacks, Yoon has remained defiant, dismissing calls for resignation or significant course corrections.
Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) maintains a fragile grip on power, facing stiff opposition from the Democratic Party. His martial law attempt has only deepened divisions, with opposition leaders accusing him of authoritarian tendencies.
“This is not about North Korea or national security,” said Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. “This is about consolidating power and suppressing dissent.”
The political fallout has left Yoon’s allies scrambling. Even members of the PPP have privately expressed concerns over the implications of Yoon’s martial law attempt on the party’s credibility ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.
Yoon’s leadership style, often described as brash and uncompromising, has drawn comparisons to his reported political hero, Winston Churchill. However, critics argue that such a confrontational approach is ill-suited for navigating the challenges facing South Korea today.
“Yoon admires Churchill’s steadfastness, but emulating wartime leadership in a peacetime democracy can backfire,” said Cho Young-jin, a historian specializing in Korean politics. “This martial law debacle is a stark reminder of that.”
Yoon’s approach to foreign policy has also been polarizing. His alignment with the United States has strengthened military ties and bolstered South Korea’s security posture against North Korea. Yet, his efforts to mend relations with Japan, South Korea’s former colonial ruler, have been less successful. Many South Koreans view Japan’s lack of historical atonement as a sensitive issue, complicating reconciliation efforts.
During a state visit to Washington last year, Yoon’s rendition of Don McLean’s American Pie at the White House became a viral moment, earning praise for his relatability but also criticism for prioritizing optics over substance.
Yoon’s tough stance on North Korea has been a central theme of his presidency. Under his leadership, South Korea has ramped up military exercises with the United States and adopted a more aggressive posture toward Pyongyang.
However, the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency raises questions about the future of South Korea’s strategy. Trump’s summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his previous term yielded little in terms of denuclearization, and a revival of such talks could undermine Yoon’s hardline policies.
The martial law incident has left Yoon in a precarious position, with his political capital severely eroded. Protesters, buoyed by the success of their demonstrations, have vowed to continue pressuring Yoon to address their demands or step down.
In Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, tens of thousands of demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Yoon’s impeachment. “This president has betrayed the people,” said Park Min-seo, a university student who attended the protests. “We demand accountability.”
Political experts say that Yoon’s ability to recover from this episode will depend on his willingness to engage with the public and opposition parties.
“Yoon has two choices,” said Professor Han Ji-woo of Korea University. “He can continue doubling down on controversial policies, or he can pivot toward reconciliation and reform. The latter may be his only path to restoring trust.”
