Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law in South Korea

South Korea faced its most significant political turmoil in decades when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, aiming to ban opposition activities under the pretext of national security. The declaration sparked immediate mass protests and backlash from the public, leading to Yoon retracting the order just six hours later. Lawmakers, including those from Yoon's own party, quickly convened to nullify the martial law, underscoring the widespread dissent against his actions. A notable moment of resistance occurred when a woman confronted a soldier blocking lawmakers, symbolizing the defiance of ordinary citizens against authoritarianism. Yoon's declaration, the first in 45 years during democratic rule, triggered comparisons to the country's historical struggles against dictatorship. The U.S. State Department expressed grave concern regarding the situation in South Korea, highlighting international attention on the crisis.