A year ago, on December 3, 2024, South Korea was plunged into political crisis after then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law citing rising unrest and a perceived threat to national security.
Troops were deployed, Yun ordered the detention of opposition lawmakers, and key state institutions, including the National Assembly, were placed under military command. Freedom of the press was also curtailed, although journalists continued reporting in defiance of the restrictions and citizens mobilized to demand an end to the order.
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The move led to widespread demonstrations and, within just six hours, Parliament was surrounded by protesters and police as lawmakers voted against the decree, forcing Yun to withdraw it.
Within days the Supreme Court declared the summary martial law unconstitutional. A few weeks later, the President was impeached and removed from office, ending an extraordinary moment in South Korea’s democratic history.
Yoon later issued a public apology for the “concern and inconvenience” he had caused.
But elsewhere, the story often plays out very differently.
Many countries are under martial law or effective military rule, which has widespread impacts on civil liberties, political opposition, and daily life.
So, where does martial law exist today and what does it mean for the people living under it?
What is martial law?
Martial law is an emergency system of governance in which the military takes over some or all civilian functions.
Depending on the country, this may include suspension of constitutional rights, curfews and movement restrictions, military trials of civilians, expanded arrest and detention powers, restrictions on media and assembly, and more.
Sometimes, this also involves the temporary replacement of civilian institutions with military administrators.
Governments usually justify martial law on the basis of war, mass unrest, armed rebellion or threat to national stability. However, rights groups warn that it is often used to suppress dissent, consolidate power or sideline democratic processes.
Which countries are under some form of military rule today?
ukraine
Ukraine has been under nationwide, self-described martial law since February 24, 2022 – the day Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country. But contrary to how martial law is traditionally understood, Ukraine is governed by a civilian administration.
Ukraine’s situation is close to what Veena Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, described as a “state of emergency”, where governments activate special powers – such as curfews, bans on gatherings, or expanded policing – but within a constitutional framework that keeps civilian institutions, including parliament and the judiciary, formally in charge.
Nevertheless, under the martial law decree, the Ukrainians have granted expanded powers to the armed forces, banned men of fighting age – particularly those aged 18 to 60 – from leaving the country, and restricted political activity deemed harmful to the war effort.
Public gatherings also require approval, and media outlets must follow rules designed to protect national security. These include banning the publication of reports on air defense systems and banning footage of missile launches.
The sanctions are broadly accepted by most of the population, but they have raised questions about political accountability and transparency in the country, especially as the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky faces growing allegations of corruption.
Ukraine’s martial law has also drawn criticism for effectively eliminating political challenges to Zelensky, with some critics, including US President Donald Trump, arguing that the country needs new elections.
Former president and leader of the largest opposition party, Petro Poroshenko, said earlier this year that while martial law was needed, he said Zelensky was using sanctions to consolidate his power.
“I want to emphasize that we must recognize the obvious – the government has begun to abuse martial law, using it not only to protect the country, but also to create an authoritarian regime,” Poroshenko said during a parliamentary debate in April.
myanmar
Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup in February 2021, ousting the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The military government has since declared martial law in dozens of townships, especially in major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, and conflict-affected ethnic areas, giving commanders sweeping powers to detain, prosecute, and execute civilians in military courts.
The military’s campaign against anti-coup resistance has plunged parts of the country into full-scale civil war. Internet blackouts and mass arrests have been documented in martial-law areas.
“Military commanders have taken over local administrations, civilian courts are bypassed, and open criticism of the regime or its proposed elections can lead to harsh punishment,” Nadjibullah said, calling Myanmar the clearest example (of martial law) in the Asia-Pacific.
Rights groups including Amnesty International say more than 6,000 people have been killed and thousands detained since the coup. For many communities, daily life involves checkpoints, curfews, and the constant threat of raids or air strikes.
The military has “widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population across the country”, Amnesty said, adding that schools, hospitals and religious buildings have been thoroughly bombed.
In late July, the army announced it was lifting the state of emergency in parts of the country, ahead of national elections starting on 28 December.
But some 22,689 political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, remain in custody as of December 2, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed records of arrests.
The UN has warned that “military-controlled” elections at the end of the year are unlikely to lead to any democratic change, and could only “generate insecurity, fear and polarization across the country”. Major political parties have been barred from contesting elections.
Thailand
Thailand is not under nationwide martial law, but specific areas of the country’s southern provinces, including Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, have long remained under emergency and security laws that grant the military extended powers similar to martial law.
These measures allow for surprise searches, sweeping arrest powers, and a heavy military presence as the government continues to combat a long-running armed insurgency.
Thailand recently declared martial law in border districts of Chanthaburi, Trat and Sa Kaeo provinces following clashes with Cambodia.
A statement from Border Defense Command commander Apichart Saprasert in July said the announcement was made to protect “national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives and property of Thai citizens”.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has been under military rule since a double coup in 2022, first in January, then in September.
Since then, while the government has not declared nationwide martial law, the country’s military leaders retain full executive and legislative control, with restrictions on political parties, and frequent curfews imposed during security operations.
The army claims its takeover was necessary to restore stability amid increasing attacks by various armed groups. But according to rights groups, censorship, arrests of critics and limits on public gathering have tightened over the past year.
The European Union and the United Nations, among other bodies, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights violations in its fight against armed groups, including indiscriminate killings and enforced disappearances of dozens of civilians, including journalists and human rights defenders.
guinea
Guinea’s military seized power in September 2021, suspending the constitution and dissolving parliament. Although martial law is not formally imposed, the military government rules by decree.
Demonstrations have been repeatedly banned, and security forces have been accused of using lethal force against protesters demanding the return of civilian government.
Opposition figures face travel bans and threats of arrest, and transition timelines have been repeatedly pushed back.
In September, voters in Guinea overwhelmingly endorsed a new constitution that would allow coup leader Mamadi Doumbouya to run for president if he wishes.
Critics described the results as a power grab, but the military government said the referendum paves the way for the return of civilian government. Presidential elections are currently expected to be held at the end of this month.
A charter adopted after the coup barred members of the transitional government from taking office.
The country’s two main opposition leaders, Cellou Delin Diallo and ousted former president Alpha Conde, are among those who have called for a boycott of the referendum.
His political parties are currently suspended, and Human Rights Watch has accused the government of disappearing political opponents and arbitrarily suspending media outlets.
guinea-bissau
Guinea-Bissau went under military control in late November 2025, when troops seized the electoral commission just before presidential election results were announced. According to the commission, ballot papers, tally sheets and even data servers were destroyed, making it impossible to finalize the count.
The military then installed Major-General Horta Inta-e as a transitional leader under a new “high military command”, dissolved civilian authority, and imposed a curfew and ban on protests and strikes.
Guinea-Bissau’s new military authorities face increasing pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional rule and allow the electoral process to resume.
madagascar
Madagascar has lived under some form of military-backed rule since 2009, when former Mayor Andry Rajoelina, backed by key military factions, seized power in a coup, setting off years of political instability in the country.
Although several elections have been held since then, the military remains a central political actor, often intervening during times of tension or protests.
This pattern resurfaced in October 2025, when weeks of youth-led demonstrations over corruption and economic frustration prompted the elite CAPSAT military unit to leave the country and take control of the capital.
As the government fell, the military ousted President Rajoelina and installed CAPSAT commander Michael Randrianarina as interim leader.
The military leadership suspended most national political institutions and the constitution, forming the Presidency Council for the Reestablishment of the Republic of Madagascar.
The military takeover of Randrianarina has been condemned by the United Nations and the African Union, which has suspended Madagascar’s membership.
Are there countries that are moving towards martial law?
Although both are ruled by civilian administrations, the interim governments that came to power in Bangladesh (2024) and Nepal (2025) after overthrowing their leaders relied heavily on the military, Nadjibullah pointed out.
In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following a mass uprising against her rule, which intensified following a bloody crackdown on protesters. ,Since the police and civil defense services were badly discredited during the unrest, the military has become highly visible throughout the country since mid-2024,, Nadjibullah said. ,Interim officials are ruling primarily through executive orders while preparing for elections, with the military acting as the principal guarantor of order and change. Bangladesh is ready for new elections in February.
In Nepal, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was forced to leave office in September 2025 amid youth-led protests.
An interim administration “took over through processes that circumvented the constitution,” Nadjibullah said. “Human rights groups have reported widespread use of force by police and, in some cases, by army units. This is not martial law on paper, but it shows how quickly security institutions can become decisive political players in times of crisis.”
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