Armored Vehicles and Martial Law Troops in Seoul City... Highlighting the "Seoul Spring" Movie Reality Version

"Reenacting 1980... History Cannot Be Reversed"

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared and lifted martial law overnight, during which armored vehicles appeared in downtown Seoul, and soldiers boarded helicopters to storm the National Assembly, breaking windows to enter. Citizens reacted by saying that the events resembled a reenactment of the movie "Seoul Spring," released last year.

"Seoul Spring" is a film depicting the December 12 military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. It was released on November 22 last year and has been watched by a cumulative audience of 13.12 million. The film portrays the events following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979, when martial law was declared and Chun Doo-hwan became the martial law commander. On December 12 of that year, Chun and Roh Tae-woo led a military rebellion. In the movie, Chun Doo-kwang (Chun Doo-hwan) mobilizes soldiers to seize control of Seoul, deploying armored vehicles and tanks at various locations including Gwanghwamun to block opposition.

Reactions noted the overlap between the film’s scenes and reality. When President Yoon declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, armed soldiers and citizens confronted each other in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. When citizens gathered to block the martial law troops from entering the National Assembly, the troops stormed the building by helicopter. Armored vehicles also appeared in the city. These events were broadcast live through social media platforms in real time.

Still from the movie 'Seoul's Spring'. Provided by Plus M Entertainment

On social media real-time search keywords (trending keywords), "martial law" and "Seoul Spring" appeared, and online reactions included comments like "Yongsan Spring" and "Seoul Winter." Chinese netizens described the situation as a "sequel to Seoul Spring" and closely monitored it. On Chinese social media Weibo and the portal site Baidu, news related to South Korea’s martial law ranked first in real-time search.

Similar reactions emerged in the political sphere. Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, said, "The situation caused by the military in 'Seoul Spring' in 1980 has been reenacted in the 21st century." Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of Gyeongnam Province, currently residing in Germany, expressed his intention to return to Korea after President Yoon declared martial law, stating, "The tragedy of Seoul Spring must not be repeated. History cannot be reversed."

At around 4:27 a.m. that day, President Yoon declared the lifting of martial law at the Yongsan Presidential Office and announced, "The troops deployed for martial law duties have been withdrawn." This came six hours after martial law was declared at around 10:25 p.m. the previous night.