22:20 23:00 01:00 03:00 Dawn
22:20
민주
헌법
국민

22:20

December 3, 2024 — Seoul, South Korea

"Emergency martial law is hereby declared"
"all political activities are prohibited"
"the media shall be placed under control"
"assemblies and rallies are banned"
190

22:30

23:00 — 01:00

국회로! 국회로!

Through the freezing December night, lawmakers raced to the National Assembly. Some climbed fences. Some pushed past soldiers. Staff members formed human chains. Citizens began to gather in the streets, candles in hand, refusing to accept the darkness.

Assembly members rushing through the night
Citizens gathering outside the National Assembly
Candlelight vigil in Gwanghwamun Square

01:00

Members of the National Assembly voted to lift martial law

0
of 300

The motion passed unanimously among those present.
계엄 해제안, 가결되었습니다.

04:27

Martial law was lifted. The sun would rise on a democracy that held.

What Followed

December 4

Cabinet offers to resign

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun tendered his resignation. The political fallout had begun.

December 7

Second martial law attempt blocked

Rumors of a second declaration swirled. The National Assembly remained in session, a vigil of governance.

December 14

Impeachment vote passes

The National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol. 204 members voted in favor. Democracy held its ground.

Ongoing

Constitutional Court deliberations

The Constitutional Court began hearings on the impeachment. The process of accountability continued through the institutions the martial law decree had tried to silence.

민주주의는 지켜졌습니다.

Democracy was defended.

20241204.com