South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday (December 4) declared emergency martial law in the country. The President accused the opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea, and being involved in activities that topple the government. President Yoon made this announcement in a televised address to the nation. Yoon's People's Power Party has been in power since May 2022. The opposition Democratic Party is opposing the policies of the government. This is the first time since 1980 that martial law was declared in South Korea.
However, just 6 hours after declaring martial law, Yoon Suk Yeol had to withdraw the order. 190 MPs present in the country's National Assembly unanimously overturned this decision, after which the President promised to lift the martial law. Martial law was lifted in South Korea only 6 hours later (at 1 am).
Protests have started in South Korea just a few hours after the martial law order was lifted. The protesters are demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yol. 6 opposition parties of South Korea together have presented an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yol on Wednesday.
With South Korea Martial Law in the focus, the question arises which are the other countries that have imposed 'army's rule' in the past? Below is a list of 8 countries-
1) Armenia
In 2020, Armenia declared martial law i.e. army's rule, and ordered the total mobilisation of its military. Armenia claimed that it had destroyed several Azerbaijani aircraft and tanks in early-morning clashes. It accused Azerbaijan of carrying out air and artillery attacks on a disputed region, Nagorno-Karabakh, that is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory but which broke away in 1991 and is run by ethnic Armenians. Azerbaijan said it had counter-attacked in response to Armenian shelling.
2) Azerbaijan
In response to Armenia's threat, Azerbaijan also announced military rule in the country. The president of Azerbaijan declared a partial military mobilization in the country as part of a presidential decree. Again the dispute is linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
3) Bahrain
In 2011, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared martial law during an anti-government uprising, granting authority to the police and military to crack down on protesters. It was lifted after a few months. During the martial rule, more than 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states arrived in Bahrain after being invited by the ruling dynasty to help restore order. Protestors and security forces faced off from mid-morning in the Sitra area on the outskirts of Manama.
4) Myanmar
Myanmar came under the military rule in 2021. The military of Myanmar rebelled against democratically elected members of Myanmar, known as the National League for Democracy. The ruling party were overthrown by Myanmar's military, called the Tatmadaw. This military placed its power in a military junta.
In 2023, it was reported that Myanmar’s military imposed martial law in strongholds of anti-coup resistance which will see people accused of everything from treason to 'spreading false news' being tried by military tribunals.
5) Pakistan
Pakistan has witnessed martial laws multiple times. Pakistan which is infamous for being ruled by the army despite calling itself a democracy has witnessed the army rule on multiple occasions. The most famous one being was in 1999.
In 1999, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was dissolved, and the Army took control. It was the fourth martial law that was imposed on Pakistan. General Pervez Musharraf took the title of Chief Executive until the President of Pakistan Rafiq Tarar resigned and General Musharraf became president. Elections were held in October 2002 and Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali became Prime Minister of Pakistan.