Editor’s note: The following article is an opinion piece by Dan Gudgeon, a researcher and lecturer at the University of Vienna who previously worked for the South Korean NGO Korean Sharing Movement. Views expressed in opinion articles are exclusively the author’s own and do not represent those of NK News.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s unexpected declaration of martial law and the resulting fallout has paralyzed the country since last week, but as citizens rally to protect their democracy, an important issue risks being forgotten — Yoon’s reference to “anti-state forces” to justify his ill-fated actions.

In his announcement