SEOUL, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday praised citizens for peacefully resisting last year's martial law declaration, saying the Korean people deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for demonstrating to the world the resilience of the country's democracy.
Speaking on the first anniversary of what he called the "revolution of light," Lee commemorated the dramatic events of Dec. 3, 2024, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an attempt that was swiftly thwarted by lawmakers and citizens.
"It was the first time in the 21st century that a self-coup occurred in a democracy like South Korea," Lee said in a national address delivered from the presidential office. "But it was also the first time in world history that the coup was prevented peacefully and beautifully by unarmed people."
The crisis began on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, when Yoon declared emergency martial law, citing threats from what he called "shameless pro-North Korea anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people."
Some 190 lawmakers reached the National Assembly in the early morning hours and voted to overturn the decree, which was then formally lifted by Yoon during a Cabinet meeting.
