Who is Yoon Suk Yeol? South Korea’s controversial president who almost started a martial law showdown

South Korea just witnessed one of the most dramatic moments in its modern political history—President Yoon Suk Yeol, elected in 2022, dropped a bombshell declaration of martial law, only to have it obliterated by the very body that put him in power. Talk about a power struggle!

Who is Yoon Suk Yeol?

Now, let’s talk about the man at the center of all this chaos. Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor with nearly three decades of experience, won the presidency by a razor-thin margin in 2022. Since taking office, his popularity has plummeted, dipping as low as 20%.

His People Power Party (PPP) was trounced in the April 2024 parliamentary elections, ceding control of the legislature to the opposition. And, if that wasn’t enough, he's been involved in multiple controversies, including allegations about his wife’s alleged wrongdoings, which his critics are demanding be investigated.

But let’s not forget Yoon’s hardline approach to North Korea, a stark contrast to his predecessor’s policy of dialogue. Yoon’s aggressive stance on the North could be seen as the backdrop to this tense political moment.

The Martial Law

It all started with Yoon’s address to the nation, where he blamed opposition parties for what he called “anti-state” behavior, accusing them of undermining national security amid growing threats from North Korea. His tough, no-nonsense stance was meant to rally the people behind him—but instead, it sparked a massive uproar. Who knew that in 2024, South Korea would almost have a military lockdown over a political spat?

South Koreans watched in shock as helmeted soldiers—whose job seemed to be policing the country’s top legislative body—were seen trying to break into the National Assembly building. Yep, you read that right. The scene, straight out of a dystopian thriller, had protesters gathering in the streets, chanting for the emergency martial law to be withdrawn. How did it end? With a whopping plot twist.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s law declared invalid

In a swift and bold move, the National Assembly voted to declare Yoon’s martial law “invalid.” Speaker Woo Won Shik, not afraid to challenge the commander-in-chief, made it clear that South Korea would not be “ruled by fear” and that the people, through their representatives, would “protect democracy.” Imagine that level of resistance! Lawmakers even broadcasted the vote live—talk about making history.

And Yoon? Well, he had no choice but to retreat. The decree was lifted after a tense Cabinet meeting, marking the first time in over 40 years that South Korea almost faced martial law, only to have it swiftly undone.

In the end, Yoon’s failed martial law gambit may have been a blip in South Korea’s complicated political theater, but it raises serious questions about the fragile balance of power in the country. Will he stick with his hardline approach, or will this humiliation mark the beginning of the end of his presidency?