A recent ruling from the Seoul Central District Court has determined that former President Yoon Suk-yeol's initial decision to suppress the National Assembly is dated December 1, 2024. This decision rejects the special prosecutor's claims that preparations for a state of emergency began a year earlier. Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon explained the reasoning behind Yoon's choice to impose military oversight, indicating that the government, under pressure from opposition party actions regarding impeachment and budget cuts, felt compelled to act decisively to preserve its authority.

The court further elaborated that the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, was perceived to be undermining government operations, causing Yoon to conclude that any delays in response would render the government powerless. This led him to contemplate military intervention on or before the aforementioned date, viewing such action as necessary for maintaining governmental stability. In contrast, the prosecution presented a narrative suggesting that Yoon had long-term authoritarian ambitions beginning well before December 2024, but the court found insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The implications of this ruling are substantial, as they challenge the narrative of a premeditated coup and suggest that the actions reflected a desperate response to immediate political pressures. This development is set against a broader backdrop of political tumult in South Korea, highlighting tensions between the government and opposition as well as concerns over the potential for militarization of political responses.