SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declared Wednesday that accountability efforts for last year’s failed martial law attempt remain unfinished as the nation marked the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s shocking declaration. Speaking at a commemorative address, Lee emphasized that those responsible for threatening the country’s constitutional order must still face full justice.
Lee praised the South Korean people for their courage in confronting the military intervention with “bare hands,” preventing what he described as an attempt to destroy democratic institutions for personal political gain. The president condemned the “recklessness of those who tried to destroy the constitutional order and even plan a war all for their personal ambition,” vowing continued efforts to ensure accountability.
Yoon’s December 3, 2023 martial law declaration triggered months of political chaos in a nation previously celebrated as a democratic success story. The crisis unfolded as U.S. President Donald Trump’s global tariff policies created additional economic pressure on South Korea’s export-dependent economy. Following his ouster, Yoon and several associates were arrested and charged with subversion for their roles in the attempted power grab.
Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, secured victory in a snap election this past June with a mandate to restore stability and democratic governance. His administration has prioritized investigating the martial law attempt while rebuilding public confidence in democratic institutions.
In his anniversary address, Lee announced plans to propose December 3 as a national holiday to honor citizens who resisted the martial law declaration. He also suggested that the South Korean people deserved consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in defending democracy during the crisis.
The anniversary comes as South Korea continues legal proceedings against those involved in the martial law plot while working to strengthen democratic safeguards against future attempts to undermine constitutional governance.
-Kim Davies
