The sudden announcement about the implementation of martial law in South Korea by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeaol stunned the world.
This brings up the dark phase of the country decades ago. However the decision to implement martial law was overturned by the South Korean President within few hours.
As per reports by The Washington Post, Choi Myung Jin, who went to the national assembly building after the news about implementation of martial law broke. said that, we lost many people because of implementation of martial law in the past.
According to reports by The Washington Post, a professor at Stanford University who teaches contemporary Korean sociology said that, I thought that this was fake news. The professor was in shock he reacted that, How this can happen in 2024?
Martial Law During 1980 In South Korea
The last time when the Martial law was imposed in South Korea was in 1980. This led the nation into military dictatorship under Gen. Chun Doo-hwan.
Gen. Chun Doo-hwan implemented the martial law on May 17,1980, followed by coup on December 12, known as 12/12 incident. This triggered protests by activist and students against it in southwestern city of Gwangju.
During that situation, the military filled the city forces and generals ordered their men to fire into the crowds.
The residents of Gwangju united to form a militia and countered violence.
The transition to the democratic phase didn’t began until seven years in South Korea. However the the uprising is majorly regarded as as the turning point that accelerated the process.
Andrew David Jackson, a professor of Korean Studies at the Monash University, mentioned that, there is no difference between the declaration made on Tuesday and the past, which will haunt the South Koreans, as reported by The Washington Post.
He highlighted the failure of Yoon and Chun who failed to inform the US authorities about their intentions.
Portrayal Of 12/12 Incident In Films And Books
The period of Martial law is often portrayed in cinema and books. The topic remains a part of Korean culture. A movie about the 1979 coup that is “12.12: The Day” has won several awards.
Also Read: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Emergency Martial Law Amid Escalating Political Crisis
