Martial Law was imposed and lifted in South Korea but why are Pakistanis debating?

In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of anti-state activities, but was compelled to lift it within six hours after the parliament unanimously voted against his order. Pakistanis, meanwhile, are drawing parallels between this event and their own political scenario.

190 members of South Korea's 300-member parliament voted against martial law, effectively invalidating the president’s decision.

The opposition demanded Yoon’s resignation and called for his accountability  for what they described as an undemocratic act.

Although President Yoon remains in office, he now faces potential impeachment as criticism mounts not only from the opposition but also from members of his own party.

The swift reversal of martial law sparked widespread discussion on social media globally. Pakistani netizens, known for their active engagement with political developments on platforms like X, drew comparisons between South Korea's political upheaval and Pakistan's own challenges.

Earlier, Pakistani social media had been captivated by the political developments in Bangladesh following a student-led movement against then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid.

Many praised the unity of the South Korean parliament in resisting an undemocratic measure. Netizens highlighted how lawmakers, in an extraordinary move, convened in the middle of the night to overrule the president’s decision, successfully thwarting a coup de état.

Others underscored the lessons Pakistan could learn from this, emphasising the importance of safeguarding democracy and recognising the power of the vote.