This Crowd Is Not Protesting Martial Law Imposed in South Korea
The Claim
Massive protests in South Korea as protesters march to presidential palace to demand resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol amid growing public discontent.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media users have been sharing an image allegedly depicting South Koreans protesting the imposition of martial law.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating image and found the claim to be misleading. The image dates back to 2016 and does not depict the crowd protesting martial law imposed in South Korea.
2016 Protests Demanding the Resignation of President Park Geun-Hye
On Saturday, December 3, 2016, hundreds of thousands of South Koreans rallied in Seoul, demanding the resignation of President Park Geun-hye amid an influence-peddling scandal. Organizers estimated 500,000 attendees, while 20,000 police officers were deployed. Despite the police presence, the protests remained peaceful.
Following the December 9, 2016, impeachment, South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled for the impeachment to proceed. On March 10, 2017, Park was removed from office.
December 2024 Protests Following the Imposition of Martial Law
The claim began circulating on social media Tuesday, December 3, when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law. Demonstrators gathered outside Parliament in Seoul, expressing strong opposition to the decision.
In a televised address, President Yoon justified the declaration, claiming it was necessary to eliminate pro-North Korea forces and accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea. Meanwhile, the South Korean Parliament voted against the martial law declaration, and the Speaker of Parliament called it "invalid."
Reversal of Martial Law Decision
On December 4, President Yoon stated that martial law would be lifted, accepting Parliament's request. In total, martial law was in effect for six hours.
Calling out the chaos created by the president, six opposition parties submitted a bill calling for Yoon’s impeachment, and protesters are demanding his resignation.
Under South Korea's constitution, martial law can be declared during "wartime, war-like situations, or other comparable national emergency states." According to the opposition, this martial law declaration "was a clear violation of the constitution."
Read More
An Old Image of Protests Against the South Korean President, Not Linked To Martial Law
This Image Does Not Depict Korean Army Movements Following the Declaration of Martial Law
