Twelve dictators and presidents prior to Yoon having been overthrown, investigated for crimes, impeached or threatened with impeachment, imprisoned, assassinated or sentenced to death since 1948.

The martial law declaration caught South Korea's political establishment and U.S. officials by surprise. Yoon rescinded the measure only after a broad coalition of lawmakers in the National Assembly − South Korea's Parliament − voted to block it and the country appeared to be heading toward wide-scale protests.