South Korea’s National Assembly has passed sweeping reforms to its martial law regulations, explicitly prohibiting military or police from blocking lawmakers’ access to parliament—a direct response to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial December 2023 emergency decree that triggered a political crisis. The amendments, approved Thursday, also ban security forces from entering the legislative complex without the Assembly Speaker’s authorization, closing loopholes exposed during last year’s turmoil.
The changes follows the December 2024 incident when Yoon—facing corruption scandals and legislative gridlock—declared martial law, mobilizing troops to surround the National Assembly. Lawmakers were forced to scale walls to convene an emergency session that ultimately voted down the order. Yoon claimed the move targeted “anti-state elements” sympathetic to North Korea, but offered no evidence.
The failed power grab led to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office, criminal insurrection charges against the former president, mass purges of senior officials involved in the decree
New Administration Charts Different Course
The crisis propelled opposition leader Lee Jae-myung to victory in June’s snap election. Marking his first 30 days in office Thursday, President Lee signaled a policy shift toward North Korea, contrasting Yoon’s hardline stance. However, political divisions persist—Yoon’s People Power Party boycotted Thursday’s vote confirming Lee’s prime minister nominee.
The revised martial law provisions aim to prevent future abuses by guaranteeing unimpeded legislative access during emergencies, requiring civilian oversight of military deployments, and preserving checks and balances during crises.
