South Korea: Martial law sparks fear and confusion among citizens

South Koreans have been describing feelings of worry, shock and confusion after the country’s president declared martial law, plunging the country into political chaos.

In a televised address on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said the move was needed to protect the country from North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements – before it was swiftly blocked by MPs.

It has left some anxious about the real life fallout from the political instability, including Seoul resident Ra Ji-soo, who reported hearing helicopters near her home late on Tuesday.

“It feels like a coup d’état in Myanmar is happening here in Korea. I’m worried,” Ra told the BBC.

Adding to the sense of events spiralling out of control, she also said a friend in the police force had received an emergency mobilisation order and was on their way to the station.

In the immediate aftermath of Yoon’s announcement, the country’s military declared the suspension of all parliamentary activity.

Footage showed a heavy police presence outside the National Assembly in the Yeongdeungpo District in the South Korean capital, and scuffles breaking out between police and protesters.

Despite the wording of Yoon’s pronouncement, it quickly became clear within South Korea that his drastic move was in response to a series of political events that have destabilised his leadership.

A South Korean woman, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of speaking out, said she felt Yoon was “attempting to restrict everyone’s freedom and right to express their concerns and judgement towards the government.

“I am so scared that South Korea will turn into another North Korea,” she added.

Another Seoul resident, Kim Mi-rim, told the BBC she had hurriedly packed an emergency kit, fearing the situation could escalate. She recalled that previous instances of martial law involved arrests and imprisonment.

The BBC has also spoken to journalists in Seoul who are coordinating closely, sharing advice on staying safe as if martial law remains in effect, all media and publishing activities will fall under strict government control.

Other people feared they could be inadvertently impacted by the move.

“How can someone who say he serves the country be so careless in acting on his whim,” Don Jung Kang, a small business owner who makes accessories told the BBC.

“As a self-employed person I really think there will be a massive damage to my business. Just from his words the currency has crashed… And it will seriously affect importing materials.”

On Tuesday night, the leader of South Korea’s ruling People’s Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called on lawmakers and the public to gather outside the National Assembly building – the main parliament – in Seoul.

Protesters chanted “no to martial law” and “strike down dictatorship” as the sounds of sirens from dozens of assembled police patrol cars and riot police buses occasionally rang out.

Clashes between police and protesters were reported in the early hours of Wednesday.

But some people were left mystified by the move.

“The streets look normal, people here are certainly bewildered,” John Nilsson-Wright, an associate professor at the University of Cambridge, told the World Service from Seoul.

“It looked like this was simply politics of a normal sort.”

Juye Hong, a South Korean university student, said her family and friends were “frantically texting, trying to make sense of this situation” which felt like “being thrown into a complete nightmare”.

She said the lack of clarity made the announcement “even more distressing”.

“People are saying there are soldiers across the city and tanks across the major districts,” said Juye.

“My friends and I don’t know if schools will be open tomorrow, how the falling value of the won and rising exchange rates will affect the economy, and if young men might be conscripted.”