Seoul: Many Koreans were stunned on Tuesday night, initially dismissing the news as a hoax. However, as they tuned in to President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected late-night television address, the gravity of the situation quickly became clear, leaving no doubt that the nation's ordeal was real. According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon declared martial law, claiming that such an extremely radical measure was necessary to protect the nation. He claimed that democracy was in jeopardy, alleging a plot by pro-North Korean sympathizers to overthrow the nation, although he provided no detailed explanation to support his assertion. Hours later, he appeared in a separate TV address and announced that the situation was over and that martial law would be lifted. He reversed his decision after lawmakers quickly gathered at the National Assembly and voted against it. Concerned citizens spent a sleepless night, glued to TV news channels, anxiously awaiting updates on the rapidly evolving situation. The president bit off way mor e than he could chew. His actions have left citizens in shock. Six hours after declaring martial law, he nonchalantly announced that the crisis was resolved, as if nothing significant had occurred. He spoke as though his earlier decisions carried no weight. What was most alarming, however, was his apparent lack of awareness of the severity and implications of his actions. It remains unclear why the president declared martial law. Reading a prepared statement on Tuesday night, Yoon criticized the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for initiating motions to impeach certain prosecutors and other key government officials, as well as for making drastic budget cuts to law enforcement agencies. He argued that the National Assembly, which should serve as the cornerstone of democracy, had instead acted in a manner that undermined it. He added that he was determined to stand against the tyranny of the majority in order to protect a free democracy from North Korea sympathizers. The DPK's relentless pursuit of motions to impeach key government officials is a disastrous move. However, the president did not clarify why he referred to members of the opposition party as "pro-North Korean sympathizers." What he said and singled out as the key reasons was not convincing enough to declare martial law. Yoon's second televised address to reverse the martial law decision just six hours later was also hard to comprehend. He said the government withdrew military personnel following the bipartisan vote against martial law. He then urged the DPK to cease motions to impeach government officials, accusing them of pursuing partisan interests in legislative matters and budget deliberations at the expense of national interest. His address sounded strange because it overlooked several critical points. He expressed no remorse or regret for his highly controversial actions, which had caused an uproar. Moreover, he offered no insight into his course of action moving forward. Citizens have experienced an emotional rollercoaster. At f irst, they didn't believe what they heard. Then they panicked as news outlets confirmed it. Fear swept over the nation as memories of past military dictatorships resurfaced, with some victims still grappling with the scars of those dark times. When Yoon eventually lifted martial law, fear gave way to frustration, leaving citizens struggling to make sense of the shocking events. However, the president made no mention of the fear, uproar or panic his actions had caused. Instead, he focused on holding the main opposition party accountable for his decision to invoke martial law - the first time since 1979. The president's declaration of martial law is contradictory. He portrayed himself as a steadfast defender of democracy, yet how did this self-proclaimed champion of freedom come to wield the power to declare martial law, a measure that can only be enacted under the most stringent conditions? News of his martial law declaration spread rapidly around the world. His remarks rattled through foreign exchange marke ts, causing the South Korean won to weaken sharply against the U.S. dollar. In any country, the head of state is expected to be the last person to undermine a nation's credibility, but this was not the case with Yoon. It remains uncertain whether Yoon's declaration of martial law is an incident that can be remedied, thereby allowing him to remain in office. He may not fully comprehend the gravity of his actions and their consequences. If this is true, it suggests a serious flaw in his understanding of his role. Opposition forces and civic organizations are mobilizing against Yoon. The DPK announced plans to pursue a motion to impeach the president, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. Additionally, the party stated it will take legal action against the three for alleged rebellion. In response, the president's chief of staff and senior presidential secretaries tendered their resignations. The president should take responsibility for his actions.