Taiwan Military Reassures Public After South Korea’s Martial Law Scare

The Taiwanese military reassured the public on Wednesday by reiterating its commitment to “defend democracy” after the short-lived martial law in South Korea that shocked the region.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said, “The ROC Armed Forces are dedicated and diligent in strengthening our forces and preparing for defense.” ROC stands for the Republic of China, the official name of the self-ruled island.

“With capability, determination, and confidence, we will defend democracy and safeguard our homeland,” the ministry added. The post included a composite image showing the island’s military activities, which displays the words “defending democracy is our duty” on it.

The post itself did not refer to South Korea‘s martial law scare, and “defend democracy and safeguard our homeland” might refer to China, whose military has sent ships and aircraft near Taiwan for patrols or exercises to intimidate the island.

Newsweek reached out to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry for comment via email.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, declared martial law on Tuesday to root out “pro-North Korean forces” and to protect the constitutional order of freedom, referring to the opposition from the rival parties-controlled National Assembly.

Although Yoon revoked the order six hours later, he is now facing impeachment after his move to impose martial law in the democratic country for the first time in four decades.

The political upheaval in South Korea has sent shockwaves through the East Asian region, including Taiwan. The island, viewed by China as part of its territory, imposed martial law from 1949 to 1987 when the political party Kuomintang was in power.

Taiwanese martial law was imposed after the Kuomintang was defeated in a civil war by the Chinese Communist Party in mainland China. The ROC government was exiled to Taiwan, which is now ruled by the Democratic Progressive Party.

William Yang, a Taiwan-based freelance correspondent, said some Taiwanese netizens suggested the island’s ruling party declare martial law to prevent the opposition parties from using a combined legislative majority to pass controversial bills.

“Simply dangerous and wrong,” Yang wrote on X, referring to these “wild” suggestions.

Meanwhile, in a now-deleted post on the social media platform Threads, the Democratic Progressive Party’s legislative caucus said the island’s legislature faces a similar situation that resulted in Yoon’s declaration of martial law, according to a Taiwanese media report.

The same account issued a statement afterward, saying the party was established during the island’s martial law period and “deeply knows the harm that martial law has done to democratic societies.” It claimed that the caucus had no intention to support martial law.

Like South Korea’s National Assembly, Taiwan’s legislature is controlled by opposition parties. However, it is designed as a rubber stamp with little power to veto budgets and appointments, said Paul Huang, a research fellow at Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation.

Huang added that despite the majority of Taiwanese supporting a recent reform to empower the legislature, which the ruling party opposed, it was blocked by the island’s Constitutional Court, which is packed with government appointees with little independence.