Fact Check: Korean Government Did NOT Declare Martial Law

Not Declared

Did the Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), a branch of the government, announce that the government declared martial law? No, that's not true: There is no such announcement officially made by the MOIS, and there is no evidence that citizens are operating under martial law procedures.

The claim appeared in a video (archived here) published by @hyun_chae_09 on TikTok on July 26, 2023. It opened, "이 방송은 실제상황입니다. 감염자들이 공권력 집행에 대해 강하게 거부하며 공격행위로 이어지고 있는 상황입니다," or "This is a broadcast of a real situation, where the infected are strongly rejecting enforcement of public power, leading to aggressive behavior," as translated by Lead Stories staff.

The video cites the MOIS as saying a "national virus disaster has occurred" but nowhere in the video does it identify the virus that people are infected, which supposedly resulted in a decision to declare martial law. The so-called announcement includes emergency sound effects including audio of alarms, with the MOIS logo in the background.

This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:

(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Tue Aug 22 00:05:16 2023 UTC)

The broadcast says:

현재 대한민국 경찰력으로 치안유지가 불가능한 관계로 헌법 제 77조에 의거하여 국가계엄령을 선포합니다.

As translated by Lead Stories staff:

As it is currently impossible to maintain public order with the police force in Korea, martial law is declared as per Article 77 of the Constitution.

The announcement continues to list the measures implemented in accordance with martial law, including a ban on gatherings of more than two people, an indefinite ban on leaving home and going out, an indefinite work-from-home policy, an indefinite public transportation suspension, and an indefinite closure of all stores.

The video also says "허가 받지 않은 외출은 감염자로 간주되어 즉시 사살될 수 있습니다" or "You will be considered as infected if you go out without permission, which can result in immediate death."

However, the MOIS did not release any broadcast or announcement about instituting martial law on its official website, YouTube or Facebook pages. MOIS does not have an official TikTok account.

There are also no reliable news reports to corroborate the claim that Korea declared martial law. No major newspaper or broadcast agencies have reported on citizens being unable to gather in groups, use public transportation or enter stores as a result of martial law.

Korea has not declared martial law since the Coup d'etat of May Seventeenth, or "5.17 내란" in 1980. The military coup led to the infamous Gwangju Uprising, also known as the May 18 Democratic Uprising or "오일팔."

MOIS did not respond to a request for comment.