"South Korea, a Strange and Dangerous Country"... Japanese Netizens React to Martial Law News

Hundreds of Comments on Japanese Media About Martial Law News
"What on Earth Were They Trying to Do?" Reactions Prevail
"Korea Is a Dangerous and Strange Country" Also Evaluated

Following the news that President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, Japanese netizens offered various speculations about the background of the martial law declaration, while expressing reactions such as "South Korea is a strange and dangerous country."

On the 4th, an extra edition newspaper related to President Yoon Seok-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 4th, Japanese media articles reporting on the declaration and lifting of martial law in South Korea received hundreds of comments. Most netizens expressed curiosity, saying, "I don't understand why martial law was declared." Comments on articles announcing the declaration and lifting of martial law mainly included reactions like "What on earth did they want to do?"

One netizen said, "I don't think it was done without a chance of success. I don't know what the message was, but it seems they turned the ruling party and the people into enemies." They added, "In the National Assembly where the opposition party holds the majority, it would have been an inevitable result either way. Japan's diplomacy will likely distance itself from South Korea again. However, there is no doubt that trust as a global nation has declined." Another netizen speculated, "It was an attempt to block a direct deal between Trump and Kim Jong-un," but also said, "However, South Korea is at a developing country level. Japan's defense and diplomacy might also be forced to undergo a paradigm shift."

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early hours of the 4th, as martial law troops attempted to enter the main building of the National Assembly, staff members and other related personnel were setting up barricades. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

There are also voices connecting South Korea's martial law news to Japan's political and social realities. One netizen said, "We need to once again consider the historical fact that South Korea was a military dictatorship until 1987," adding, "Japan has many things to do, but can Prime Minister Ishiba manage it?" There was also an opinion that "If Japan amends its constitution to include emergency provisions, martial law would become possible, leading to the loss of citizens' freedoms and resulting in dictatorship and militarism."

Other reactions included, "This once again shows that South Korea is a dangerous country. We should teach young Japanese people traveling to South Korea that it is dangerous," "If the South Korean left seizes power and becomes an anti-Japan regime, it will attempt reconciliation with Russia, China, and North Korea," and "This is a strange handshake. It only boosts the momentum of the pro-North Korea opposition party."