AP News, Martial Law Ended in 6 Hours: "Victory for Korean Democracy"

Foreign media analysis described the December 3 emergency martial law incident, which ended in six hours, as "a victory for Korean democracy but at the same time a sign of a global crisis in democracy."

Troops attempting to enter. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 8th (local time), the Associated Press (AP) diagnosed this through an analytical article titled "What does the preservation of Korean democracy after a 6-hour power game imply for democracies in other countries?"

AP evaluated President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law ending after six hours as "a hard-won victory for democracy and a triumph of the principle of checks and balances written by the Founding Fathers of the United States in the 1788 Federalist Papers."

It also pointed out that the participation of citizens who visited the National Assembly late at night played a significant role in concluding the incident. AP stated, "President Yoon's authoritarian actions of sending Black Hawk helicopters and armored vehicles to the National Assembly recalled the era of past dictatorships," adding, "Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly, shouting for the lifting of martial law and the president's resignation, but no clashes were reported between the military and police."

However, AP also diagnosed that "while a drama unfolded in Seoul, the foundation of democracy worldwide was shaken," suggesting that this incident might represent the threats democracy faces in 2024. AP reported that President Yoon's attempt to use the military to halt the National Assembly fits the definition of a 'praetorian coup,' noting that such coups are increasing globally. According to joint research by Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University, out of 46 praetorian coups since 1945, 10 occurred in the past decade, with a success rate of about 80%.

In this regard, AP evaluated President Yoon's emergency martial law incident as "a notable event in an era of rising authoritarianism. It means democracy was preserved." AP also pointed out, "It might have succeeded in other countries," and "Other authoritarian leaders may have been better prepared than President Yoon."