Seoul: University students and professors across Seoul condemned President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday over his brief attempt to impose martial law that was blocked by the National Assembly. Seoul National University's student council issued a statement denouncing Yoon for "brutally trampling on the democratic ideals of April 19," referring to the pro-democracy uprising by students in 1960 against widespread corruption and authoritarian rule.According to Yonhap News Agency, the student council declared that "declaring emergency martial law is an act that crushes the Republic of Korea's liberal democratic constitutional order," vowing to "readily resist" such acts and "overthrow" injustice. The student council plans to hold a general meeting at 5 p.m. to collect students' thoughts on the issue.About 370 professors and researchers at Korea University also announced a joint declaration calling for Yoon's impeachment and suspension of duties. "As intellectuals, we are ashamed and devastated that we could not s top such a preposterous incident from happening," they said in the statement.A poster put up at Korea University claimed the president committed treason by sending special forces into the National Assembly compound and blocking lawmakers from entering the grounds. Students at Dongguk University and Seoul National University of Science and Technology also issued statements urging Yoon to step down and take responsibility for his declaration of martial law.
- September 13, 2026
