Incredible political 'Thor' emerges from South Korea's martial law crisis | Politics News

Seoul – South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has emerged as an unlikely symbol of leadership amid the country's ongoing political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk-yeol's report declaration of martial law on December 3.

Despite holding South Korea's second-highest office after the presidency, the parliament speaker has historically had a low-profile role, operating behind the scenes of political life.

Unlike the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, who leads Washington's legislative agenda as the leader of the majority party, the speaker of South Korea's parliament is required by law to renounce party affiliation after election to maintain neutrality. Most speakers also retire after their term.

But Woo's determined but measured actions throughout the recent crisis they seem to have turned the traditional view of the speaker and his role on its head.

“To see someone like him step in and act decisively at such a critical time was refreshing,” Yu Junhun, a lawyer and political columnist, told Al Jazeera.

“It let voters — both young and old — know that such capable politicians still exist,” Yu said.

South Korean youths even nicknamed Wu “Thor of the National Assembly,” a nod to the gavel-wielding office and the Marvel superhero wielding his mighty hammer.

A recent Gallup Korea poll showed 56 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Woo, an unusual figure in a country where trust in the National Assembly has fallen to just 20.6 percent, according to OECD Survey 2024

Student protest against “Thor” of the constitutional procedure

As a young student activist, Woo was imprisoned for three years after protesting the military dictatorship that extended martial law in 1980, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.

The repression culminated in the deadly uprising in Gwangju in May 1980.

After President Yun declared martial law on the night of December 3, Wu, 67, scaled the National Assembly fence after police barricaded the entrance to try to prevent lawmakers from entering and holding a vote to overturn the president's order.

“I knew we had the constitutional authority to lift martial law,” Wu later recalled at a news conference.

“I didn't hesitate. I had to enter the assembly no matter what,” he said.

Even as South Korean special forces soldiers advanced on the assembly building, Woo insisted on following proper legislative procedures despite mounting pressure from anxious politicians urging him to speed up the process, possibly cutting a few corners.

“At times like this, following the correct procedure without mistakes is even more important,” Wu told his anxious colleagues in the surrounding assembly hall.

At one point, troops came dangerously close to the entrance to the main hall where MPs were voting, sparking a tense standoff with assembly staff.

The decisive vote continued, with all 190 MPs present – ​​from the 300-seat assembly – voting in favor of lifting martial law.

“There has been a lot of reaction on social media asking why (Woo) is so fixated on following legislative procedures,” said Yoo, the political columnist.

“But now, even those who oppose impeachment (of President Yun) cannot find fault with the process he maintains,” Yu said.

Bong Young-shik, a research fellow at Yonsei University's Institute of North Korean Studies, attributed the peaceful resolution of the chaotic situation, with no civilian casualties, to Wu's emphasis on strict adherence to constitutional procedures.

“In such an unexpected and dire situation, both conservatives and progressives found Wu trustworthy,” Bong said.

“We've seen this approach work exactly as intended,” he said.

“South Korea is strong. His people are resilient

Wu also adhered to strict constitutional procedures during the first, failed impeachment vote against President Yunon December 7, to declare martial law and plunge the country into crisis.

With Yun's ruling party boycotting the vote to block the impeachment attempt, Wu kept the legislative session open for hours, an unusual move, urging politicians to return and fulfill their constitutional duty to vote.

Two MPs from the ruling party returned to the chamber to vote.

Wu closed the session only around 9:20 p.m., explaining that he could no longer let the protesters, who had gathered outside the assembly in freezing weather to demand Yun's impeachment, wait indefinitely for a result.

After successful, second impeachment vote held a week later, Woo called for a return to normalcy in all aspects of life in South Korea and for the public to move forward together.

“I hope your end of the year is a bit happier,” Wu said at the time, encouraging South Koreans to resume Christmas celebrations and gatherings, given the toll the turmoil has taken on struggling small businesses at a key time of year.

“His words instantly conveyed meaning,” said Yu, the political columnist.

Wu acknowledged his growing public profile and newfound popularity, but with rare humility.

“I heard young people call me 'Thor of the National Assembly.' I find it amusing,” he said during a recent press conference.

He attributed the newfound public focus on the speaker's role in politics not to himself personally, but to the collective efforts of MPs, assembly staff, and engaged citizens.

Asked about his own future ambitions, including a potential run for president, Wu dismissed the idea.

Instead, he emphasized the need for constitutional reform to address the recurring instability that has plagued South Korea's presidency since its transition to democracy in 1987.

“Our current constitution, drafted in 1987, is outdated,” he said, adding that it needed “reforms that reflect the changes in society over the last four decades.”

Wu also had a message for people around the world who had watched in shock as South Korean troops were deployed during President Yun's brief declaration of martial law.

“South Korea is strong. His people are resilient,” he said.

“Although the world may be startled by the declaration of martial law, South Korea remains secure, stable and confident in its future,” he added.