South Korea Issues Martial Law For the first time in more than 50 years, South Korea has announced martial law, and the world has heard about it. This decision has left people in South Korea wondering if there is anything they could do to salvage their democracy, their freedoms or the fate of their country.
What Happened?
The South Korean government did so in response to a spike in unrest and national security risks. Protests have been going up and national tensions have been increasing. Martial law is required, they claim, to restore order and ensure the safety of all.
Military rule gives the military some authority over the government. These could include dramatic effects on normal life, such as curfews, arrests and more military on the streets. And it gives authorities a rush to act in the name of safety, sometimes at the expense of rights.
‘Why Does This Sound So Big?
South Korea is no longer the same place it was when martial law was first proclaimed. There was, during the 1970s and ’80s, a military leadership that used it to put off anyone who opposed them. South Korea is today a strong democracy where people are allowed to express themselves and vote for their leaders.
It’s this history that makes many South Koreans fear martial law. Will their freedoms be forfeited? Can this interim fix stick around longer than the promise? Those are things that many people are asking now.
How Are People Reacting?
No one is happy with the government’s choice. Others think it’s good policy to save the country. They perceive it as an injunction to prevent things from spiralling out of control.
But most others are raged and afraid. There has already been protests – and protesters are asking for an official timeline of the end of martial law. It may represent a deadly backward turn for democracy in the country, civil rights groups are saying.
What Might Happen With Martial Law?
What martial law could mean for residents of South Korea, for example:
- Curfews: Maybe you’re not allowed out after a certain point.
- Armed Guards on the Streets: Infantry could be stationed in cities for peace.
- Short on Freedom of Speech: The outlets of news and social media could be blocked.
- Quick Arrests: People could be arrested without a warrant.
- These reforms, the government tells you, are temporary but citizens wonder how long.
