President Lee has issued a statement on the first anniversary of the implementation of martial law in Japan. The announcement is seen as an initiative to address the surrounding controversies and to share the progress made due to the mandate. While President Lee did not explicitly reveal the future course of action, this declaration has stimulated a nationwide debate on the pros and cons of the martial law in the country.

In Japan, issuing martial law is an extreme measure usually indicating a heightened state of insecurity or governance issue. Its implementation has engendered a lot of controversy with people deeply concerned about civil liberties. However, others see it as a necessary step for preserving national security. The society is greatly divided with an ongoing discussion whether this deviation from the democratic norm has brought more good or harm.

In the US or EU, martial law is very rarely invoked and is generally seen as a last resort during extreme crisis, typically involving war or natural disaster. The implementation is usually fraught with concerns over abuse of power and restriction of civil liberties. As in Japan, it is a highly divisive topic and is intensely scrutinized by activists, politicians, and legal scholars.