"Was Last Night Real?"... Citizens Lose Sleep Over Sudden Martial Law Imposition [Report]

155 Minutes of Tension from the Afternoon of the 3rd
Citizens Lose Sleep at Night, Showing Signs of Anxiety

"I couldn't sleep a wink, wondering if this is really happening in 2024."

On the morning of the 4th at 7:30 a.m., university student Lee (20), whom we met in front of National Assembly Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, said, "I saw a video of helicopters flying in the sky last night and couldn't believe it was real," adding, "Seeing the freedom of the press and assembly, which are guaranteed by the Constitution, being ignored and soldiers storming the National Assembly made me think this is seriously wrong."

On the 4th, a special edition newspaper related to President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law was placed at the entrance of Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the previous day around 10:30 p.m., President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, and commuters were still visibly shocked. Many stayed up all night watching the tense situation between the military and police unfold in real time for about two and a half hours until the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift the martial law around 1 a.m. on the 4th. Office worker Yoo Ah-young (27) said, "I couldn't sleep at all because I was watching the live news coverage of soldiers and citizens confronting each other at the National Assembly," adding, "I commute to Yeouido every day, and seeing soldiers and police gathering there made me worry that something dangerous might happen in the morning."

Kim (52), who commutes from Goyang, Gyeonggi Province to Gwanghwamun, said, "I couldn't sleep because I thought this situation was absurd, staying awake until dawn and only getting less than two hours of sleep," adding, "Since President Yoon has a long career as a legal professional, he must have judged whether the martial law was lawful and the situation objectively, so I think he should take responsibility for it."

The main gate of the National Assembly, where the tense standoff occurred last night, remained tense until morning with police in yellow fluorescent uniforms and citizens facing off. Under strict control, only one or two cars could barely pass through the main gate of the National Assembly.

On the 4th, news related to President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration and lifting of martial law is being reported on the electronic billboard at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Kim (56), who works near the National Assembly, said, "The bus driver suddenly announced that the bus could not enter the KBS stop and National Assembly Station stop, and made all passengers get off at Yeouido Station Exit 5, which is outside the area," adding, "If I hadn’t left early today, I would have been late for work. I have to walk about 20 minutes from here, so I need to hurry," as he quickly moved on.

Most people also expressed skepticism about President Yoon’s future governance. Office worker Kim (50) said, "I couldn’t sleep after hearing the news that President Yoon declared martial law yesterday and finally fell asleep around 4:30 a.m.," adding, "Given this situation, it can only be seen as if his term effectively ended yesterday. It’s only natural that he should resign."

Office worker Son Ye-eun (26) also said, "I went to bed early last night and as soon as I woke up in the morning, I checked the martial law news and talked with my family about whether this was like the movie 'Seoul Spring'," adding, "It’s shocking how quickly the situation escalated in just six hours, and I believe the public’s mind has already been made up because of this incident."

Another office worker, Han Ji-hyun (35), said, "The emergency martial law declared yesterday clearly showed the president’s arbitrary attitude of suppressing freedom of the press and labeling those who oppose his views as pro-North Korean or anti-state forces," adding, "Although his approval rating is low now, I expect impeachment protests to spread even faster in the future."

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced in an emergency address early on the 4th that the martial law declared last night will be lifted, while citizens anxious throughout the night are watching the breaking news about the martial law on TV. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Meanwhile, labor unions and civil society groups defined the incident, in which martial law was declared for the first time in 44 years and withdrawn after six hours, as an act of treason and called for President Yoon’s impeachment. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) stated at a press conference of the Central Executive Committee, "We will launch an indefinite general strike until the Yoon Seok-yeol regime steps down," and "The traitor Yoon Seok-yeol must be immediately arrested." The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) also said, "President Yoon has crossed the point of no return," and "We will not hesitate to stand up to defend democracy in the Republic of Korea." The Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union pointed out, "He is a criminal who abused presidential power and committed treason by violating the Constitution," adding, "Now is the time for impeachment. The declaration of martial law itself is a clear cause for impeachment."

Civil society organizations strongly opposed the move, citing violations of the Constitution and international law. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, "Immediately dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol for violating the Constitution," and criticized, "The People Power Party lawmakers who condoned the unconstitutional martial law cannot escape responsibility." The Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) stated, "This is a very dangerous act that shakes the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution and the foundation of democracy." Amnesty International Korea emphasized, "The declaration of martial law clearly violates the Constitution and international law," adding, "A state of emergency must never be used as a means to restrict or justify the suppression of human rights under any circumstances."