One year after ousted president Yoon’s failed martial law bid, South Korea works to rebuild stability

In the aftermath of the crisis, South Korea’s international standing suffered.

Its economy also took a hit.

The gross domestic product of the export-driven country contracted 0.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year, a downturn exacerbated by heightened uncertainty following United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff measures.

Some analysts believe the most pressing concern now is the deep-rooted political polarisation that had been building long before the martial law declaration.

“Unless we address the potential source of effective polarisations, I don’t think Korean democracy is going to be healthier,” said Brandon Park, professor of international politics at Chung-Ang University.

He said the crisis, which ended without bloodshed, highlighted the durability of South Korea’s democratic transition.

“They were not only afraid of the passive action by military forces, but also more importantly, they were afraid of large mobilisation of the public,” he added.