On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, citing threats from "North Korean communist forces" and the need to eliminate "pro-Pyongyang and anti-state forces." This action, lacking an immediate cause such as a North Korean attack or domestic unrest, has been widely perceived as a self-coup attempt. The rhetoric employed by Yoon reflects a historical pattern in South Korea, where anti-communist sentiments have been used to suppress opposition, notably during the authoritarian regimes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan. The swift response from parliamentarians, who convened to nullify the martial law declaration, and the restraint shown by the military, which avoided violent confrontations, were pivotal in averting a deeper crisis. This incident underscores the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions and serves as a cautionary example of how democratic systems can be tested from within.

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