Archive · 3 Dec 2025
South Korea Marks Martial Law Anniversary
South Korea's current president, Lee Jae Myung, spoke about the one-year anniversary of a failed attempt to impose martial law by the former president, Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee said that the country is still dealing with the aftermath and that the people who tried to destroy the constitutional order must be brought to justice.
The people of South Korea stopped the military from imposing martial law, and Lee wants to make December 3 a national holiday to celebrate their role.
He also suggested that the people should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize for their actions.
Yoon, who is on trial for insurrection, denies wrongdoing and claims his actions were to restore order.
There are deep divisions in society over the trials and the perception of persecution against conservatives.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung marked the first anniversary of the failed martial law bid by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee stated that the recklessness of those who tried to destroy the constitutional order must be brought to justice.
The people of South Korea stopped the military from imposing martial law, according to Lee.
Lee proposed designating December 3 as a national holiday to celebrate the people's role in quelling the martial law bid.
Lee suggested that the people who stopped the martial law bid should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and former President Yoon Suk Yeol
- What
- Marking the first anniversary of the failed martial law bid and discussing its aftermath
- When
- December 3, 2024, and the current anniversary
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- To bring perpetrators to justice, honor the people's role in stopping the martial law, and address the fallout of the crisis
Government and Supporters
Yoon's Supporters and Conservatives
Martial Law Justification
Government and Supporters
Yoon's martial law declaration was an attempt to destroy the constitutional order and was unjustified.
Yoon's Supporters and Conservatives
Yoon imposed martial law to restore order and combat 'anti-state forces' paralyzing the government.
Persecution of Conservatives
Government and Supporters
The government is ensuring justice is served by prosecuting those involved in the martial law bid.
Yoon's Supporters and Conservatives
Conservatives feel they are being persecuted, with deep fissures in society over the trials.
- Date of Martial Law Announcement
- December 3, 2024
- Current President
- Lee Jae Myung
- Former President
- Yoon Suk Yeol
- Proposed National Holiday
- December 3
- Nobel Peace Prize Consideration
- People for quelling martial law bid
- Yoon's Trial Charges
- Insurrection, potentially life imprisonment or death penalty
- Yoon's Wife's Trial
- Charges of corruption and bribery
Sources
South Korea’s Lee says martial law clean-up not yet complete on first anniversary
South Korea’s Lee says martial law clean-up not yet complete on first anniversary
South Korea’s Lee says on martial law anniversary perpetrators must face justice
South Korean President Demands Justice One Year After Martial Law Crisis