Citizens chant slogans condemning President Yoon Suk Yeol near the main gate of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday morning, following his declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law. Yonhap

South Koreans were left stunned and sleepless after an unexpected declaration of martial law shook the nation, sparking widespread concern and disbelief about the state of democracy in 2024.

"I couldn't sleep at all, glued to the news all night. It felt so surreal, like a bad dream," said a 41-year-old office worker surnamed Choi, as he checked his smartphone during his morning commute on Seoul Metro Line 2 on Wednesday.

"It's like I traveled 40 years back in time, it was so absurd. Even my middle school-aged son couldn't sleep and watched TV with me. My heart is still pounding."

President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law late the previous night, only for it to be rescinded hours later following a parliamentary vote.

Despite the resolution, many commuters expressed shock and disbelief on their way to work. Some described the events as unthinkable in modern-day South Korea, while others found solace in the resilience of the country's citizens. Calls for the president's resignation emerged quickly.

"The president should step down," said Park, a 51-year-old office worker at Yeongdeungpo Station. "This isn't the military dictatorship era. He acts like mobilizing troops against dissent is acceptable."

Similarly, 32-year-old Lee Ji-woo said she stayed up all night searching platforms like Naver and X (formerly Twitter) for updates. "I even looked up old martial law photos. What worries me most is the economic fallout," she said.

A special edition newspaper featuring the announcement of the martial law lift by President Yoon Suk Yeol during an emergency national address is displayed near Jonggak Station in central Seoul, Wednesday morning. Yonhap

Some citizens, unaware of the turmoil until morning, were equally dismayed. "I went to bed around 9 p.m. and only learned about it at 6 a.m.," said Lee Jin-hong, 71. "It's disappointing to see the president ignore the Constitution."

Online parent groups and messaging boards reflected the anxiety, with many deciding to keep their children home from daycare or preschool.

Parents of soldiers were especially distraught. "My son is currently serving, and I haven't been able to reach him since yesterday," said Baek, 51. "Soldiers on leave were ordered back, and friends who were supposed to be discharged today had their dates postponed. It must be worse for frontline divisions."

The situation evoked memories of the film "12.12: The Day," which depicted a military coup that began in 1979. Park Mi-young, 51, said, "I thought of my son in the military first. Seeing soldiers on TV made my heart ache."

Those who experienced past periods of martial law recalled their fear. "It brought back memories from my childhood," said Heo, 55, who had returned from Vietnam for her daughter's birthday. "I thought democracy was firmly rooted in Korea, but that belief has been shattered."

Foreign residents were also taken aback. A 32-year-old Myanmar national, who has lived in Korea for three years as an exchange student, said, "I was working the night shift at a convenience store and kept checking the news. Martial law is familiar in Myanmar, but I believe Korea's citizens are strong, so I don't think it will escalate further."

On the night martial law was declared and rumors spread about the closure of the National Assembly, an estimated 4,000 citizens gathered outside the Assembly building, according to unofficial police reports. Some stayed overnight, standing vigil and calling for the impeachment of President Yoon.

Although the immediate crisis has passed, the lingering unease among citizens suggests that trust in leadership and democratic values may take time to restore.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.