South Korean Opposition Leader Takes Stand Against Martial Law

In a defiant response to President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung mobilized supporters at the National Assembly, urging them to vote against the decree in a dramatic display of political resistance.

Minutes after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, chaos erupted in South Korea as opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called for a gathering at the National Assembly to oppose the decree. Lee urged lawmakers to pass a resolution to nullify the martial law, emphasizing that the public must protect their democracy. He warned his supporters of potential military interference aimed at preventing the vote. "The people should defend this nation," he stated during a live social media broadcast on his way to the National Assembly in Seoul, where thousands heeded his call.

Lee Jae-myung’s journey to this pivotal moment is notable. Born into modest beginnings, his parents worked as public toilet cleaners, and he spent part of his youth working in sweatshops, narrowly escaping a severe injury to his left hand. After two decades as a labor lawyer advocating for workers' rights, he transitioned into politics in the mid-2000s. His rise within the Democratic Party of Korea was swift; he served as mayor and later as a provincial governor.

In 2020, the Democrats captured a supermajority in the National Assembly, a testament to Lee’s influence in politics. In 2022, he ran for the presidency, garnering attention with popular proposals like universal basic income and government-backed personal loans. As the current political crisis unfolds, Lee’s leadership during this tumultuous time demonstrates his commitment to social justice and democratic governance in South Korea.