Analysis: Modern democratic South Korea has been plunged into politically uncharted waters

 President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to declare martial law is one of the most dramatic political decisions made by a South Korean leader in its modern democratic history and plunges a major East Asia economy — and a key regional US ally — into unchartered waters.

South Korea has been a modern, boisterous and vibrant democracy since the late 1980s. For decades, protests have been commonplace, free speech guaranteed and power peacefully transferred between rival political camps.

South Korea’s domestic politics has long been fractious and highly partisan. But no leader in the democratic era has gone as far as declaring martial law.

In recent months, Yoon and his ruling People Power Party faced significant opposition from their main rivals the Democratic Party, which has used parliament to impeach key cabinet members and hold up a budget bill.

Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into various scandals that have enveloped both key officials and his wife, creating an increasingly febrile and politically charged atmosphere inside the country.

It is not clear how long Yoon’s martial order may last. According to the Associated Press, under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds a majority.