Five minutes to martial law: South Korea’s Yoon stunned cabinet with snap move
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law on December 3rd plunged the nation into chaos. A late-night cabinet meeting, convened with little notice, revealed Yoon’s unilateral decision, sparking fierce objections from ministers concerned about economic fallout. Despite pleas, Yoon proceeded with the declaration, triggering market panic and a dramatic parliamentary response.