Bringing Wooden Doors to Block Martial Law Troops... Netizens Witness a Real-Life 'Seoul Spring' Overnight

President Yoon Seok-yeol's Martial Law Incident Draws 'Various Reactions'

As President Yoon Suk-yeol's sudden declaration of martial law was fully recorded on social networking services (SNS), citizens who stayed up all night watching the situation showed various reactions, saying they witnessed a real-life version of the ‘Seoul Spring.’

The movie Seoul Spring depicts the tense nine hours in the heart of Seoul on December 12, 1979, when the new military forces attempted a coup. In the film, Jeon Du-gwang (Jeon Du-hwan) mobilizes soldiers to take control of Seoul, deploying armored vehicles and tanks around Gwanghwamun and other locations to block opposition. Scenes from this movie came to life in reality.

On the previous day (the 3rd) at around 10:28 p.m., President Yoon abruptly declared martial law, after which armed martial law troops attempted to enter the National Assembly main building, clashing with citizens and National Assembly officials. Some lawmakers trying to reach the plenary session were blocked from entering and climbed over walls. Staff and officials inside the main building barricaded the first and second floor entrances using wooden doors, large flowerpots, desks, and chairs to prevent the troops from entering.

Some armed forces succeeded in breaking windows and entering the National Assembly main building. To stop them from entering the plenary hall, National Assembly staff sprayed fire extinguishers. Then, at around 1:14 a.m., a motion to lift martial law was passed in the National Assembly, and approximately six hours later, at 4:27 a.m. on the 4th, martial law was lifted following the Assembly’s request.

All these events were broadcast live in real time through social networking services (SNS).

On the 4th, Ahn Gwi-ryeong, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said "Aren't you ashamed?" while confronting martial law troops (above), and after the martial law was lifted, a martial law soldier bowing to a citizen as he withdrew. Captured from an online community.

On the 4th, a netizen posted on X (formerly Twitter), “I watched the movie Seoul Spring live,” adding, “How could the citizens of Gwangju have faced the barrels of guns in a time without YouTube or breaking news? Without that history, today would not exist either.” They continued, “Let’s keep a close watch on this situation until those who committed wrongdoings are punished and step down. The reason we learn history is to avoid repeating the same mistakes.”

Another person said, “What fault do the soldiers have? They are just our sons in their early twenties, and how bewildered and troubled they must have been receiving orders from their superiors to become ‘martial law troops’?a term we only heard about in history class.”

Other reactions included: “I’ve lived to see martial law declared twice. The first time I was a teenager,” “I was moved by the citizens forming a ‘human barricade’ in front of armored vehicles and by moments when some martial law troops and citizens comforted each other,” “I was shocked and overwhelmed with anger and cried my heart out,” and “When the motion to nullify the martial law declaration was passed, I shouted along with the National Assembly main building staff who cheered.”