Moment of Humanity Amid Martial Law, Soldier Apologizes to Citizen in Emotional Exchange

South Korean journalist Heo Jae-hyun shared his encounter with a martial law soldier who apologized to citizens amid heightened tensions following a sudden declaration of martial law.

On December 4, Heo, a reporter for the independent media outlet 'RepoAct', recounted the moment on his Facebook. As citizens gathered in protest outside the National Assembly, Heo encountered a soldier who repeatedly bowed and said, “I’m sorry.”

"He was just a nameless soldier, but his sincerity was unmistakable," Heo wrote. "His clear eyes behind his glasses made my anger dissolve into an overwhelming mix of pity and gratitude. For a fleeting moment, I felt we were on the same side of democracy."

In a deeply personal message, Heo reflected, "As a journalist and a citizen, I will forever remember your words, which preserved the dawn of our democratic republic. I hope you complete your service safely and return as a healthy young man to our society. Thank you."

The poignant scene was captured in a photo shared by Heo, showing the soldier in a bulletproof vest and helmet bowing in apology. A video uploaded to his YouTube channel, TV Heo Jae-hyun, also documented the exchange.

In the video, Heo followed the soldiers, urging them, "Use your weapons to protect the people, not to destroy our democracy. Please defend us." One soldier stopped to bow deeply and say, “I’m sorry,” before rejoining his unit. Heo responded, “No, we are the ones who are grateful. Thank you for protecting us.”

The martial law, declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol at 10:28 PM on December 3, lasted just over five hours. It was lifted at 4:30 AM following a National Assembly resolution passed with unanimous approval from 190 members present.

This rare moment of vulnerability from a soldier during a tumultuous political crisis resonated deeply, highlighting the shared humanity that transcends opposing roles in times of upheaval. For many, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy in South Korea.