Korean Soldiers Commanded To “Write Wills And Take Up Arms” Amid Martial Law Declaration

On December 3, 2024 (KST), when declaring martial law that kept the nation in fear for 6 hours, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea cited “pro-North, anti-state forces” as the problem and claimed he would “rebuild and defend the free Republic of Korea” from such forces “plundering the freedom and happiness of the people.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol | MBC

Then, on December 4, 2024 (KST), after lifting martial law, President Yoon is reported to have told the ruling People Power Party’s leadership and senior members that he “had no choice but to declare martial law because of the opposition parties’ violent actions” and that he wanted to “send a strong warning” to them.

Why Did South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Declare The 6-Hour Emergency Martial Law?

But what did this “warning” mean for the soldiers in the armed forces serving their enlistment duties right now?

When martial law was declared, a “Level 2 Emergency Alert” was reported to have been issued across all units of the South Korean armed forces. While a “Level 2 Emergency Alert” does not indicate a situation immediately preceding a full-scale war, it is declared in scenarios where national security faces a severe threat.

Martial law troops (comprised of profesesional soldiers and not conscripted ones) marching in front of parliament. | E Today

And so, according to CBI News‘s exclusive report, frontline soldiers were placed in a chaotic and fearful situation, even drafting farewell letters to their families in preparation for the worst.

CBI News obtained testimonies from a family whose son is enlisted and serving in a unit stationed near the border in Gangwon Province. According to the soldier’s parents, around 12:40 AM (about two hours into martial law), “Soldier A” sent them a string of KakaoTalk messages as his unit was bracing for the effects of President Yoon’s declaration.

Things are looking quite serious… We packed our gear, wrote wills, armed ourselves, and are setting up position.

— Soldier A’s KakaoTalk Message

After President Yoon lifted martial law, Soldier A told his parents over the phone that he “thought a war had broken out.” Soldier A’s parents expressed utter shock, telling CBI News that he was “so startled to receive such messages from [his] son.” The parent added, “I hope something like that never happens again.”

Picture for illustrative purposes only. | News1

No one told us what was going on, and the ‘Jindotgae’ alert sirens kept blaring. We were ordered to write our wills. Being a frontline unit, we were preparing for the worst… so we wrote them.

— Soldier A

As of December 6, 2024 (KST), South Korea’s political parties are holding meetings over talks of voting to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vote, scheduled for Saturday, could take place if there are enough numbers to pass the motion. Meanwhile, Koreans are flooding the streets, protesting and demanding change.

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