Yoon’s Shocking Martial Law Move: International Media Blames Wife Scandal for Political Crisis

On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in an emergency address that he would lift the martial law declared the previous night, following demands from the National Assembly. International media outlets extensively covered the development, highlighting the controversies surrounding Yoon’s decision and his wife.

On Tuesday night, major U.S. and U.K. outlets, including The New York Times (NYT), Associated Press (AP), CNN, and Reuters, issued breaking news alerts about Yoon’s martial law declaration, providing live updates throughout the night. According to multiple reports, “South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an emergency televised address,” sparking global interest.

These outlets also noted that Yoon accused the opposition Democratic Party of South Korea of “siding with North Korea” and engaging in “anti-state activities” to paralyze the government. Nearly every major media outlet prominently displayed the story on their front pages.

The New York Times reported that Yoon’s declaration marked the first instance of martial law enforcement by a South Korean president since the military dictatorship ended in the late 1980s.

The NYT noted that Yoon, elected president in 2022, has been constantly in political confrontation with the opposition Democratic Party.

The Associated Press analyzed the political background, stating that Yoon’s approval ratings have declined recently. Since taking office in 2022, he has struggled to push his agenda in a National Assembly dominated by the opposition.

The AP also reported that Yoon’s ruling People Power Party has been deadlocked with the Democratic Party over next year’s budget.

The AP further noted that Yoon dismissed calls for an independent investigation into a series of scandals involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, leading to strong criticism from his political rivals. However, it added that the impact of the martial law declaration on South Korea’s governance and democracy remains unclear.

CNN published an article titled “South Korean president declares martial law,” explaining that the South Korean president entered politics after 27 years as a prosecutor. The article noted that Yoon narrowly defeated Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung in the presidential election by less than 1 percentage point. The article described him as a hardliner on North Korea and a key figure navigating the complex U.S.-China relationship.

In a Seoul-based report, CNN vividly depicted the public’s shock over the martial law declaration, describing citizens rushing to meet their families amid the uncertainty.

The BBC also covered Yoon’s political challenges, noting his embroiled in scandals surrounding his wife. The report highlighted that the opposition has been pushing for the impeachment of key government figures, including the auditor general, while scrutinizing the timing of Yoon’s martial law declaration.

According to the BBC, Yoon’s government has been fighting to maintain control of the legislature since losing its majority earlier this year. Political analysts interviewed by the BBC suggested that Yoon may have resorted to martial law as an undemocratic strategy to counter political attacks.

The BBC also detailed Kim Keon Hee’s luxury bag scandal and alleged involvement in stock manipulation, which have been linked to a significant decline in voter confidence.

The BBC described Yoon’s martial law declaration as a possible last-ditch effort by a president who has effectively lost government control. It also noted the swift military movements, which caught many by surprise.

Major international outlets have expressed shock over the unprecedented situation, with some describing South Korea as “one of the most advanced democracies” and calling the development “stunning.” Many reports closely monitor the connection between the controversies surrounding the First Lady, Yoon’s low approval ratings, and the unfolding political crisis.