In a recent development, the South Korean military has been accused of planning to enforce martial law last year, during the protests against the country's former president, Park Geun-hye. The accusation comes from a human rights group, which claims to have received a copy of the alleged plan. The document reveals the military's intention to mobilize its forces to suppress the mass protests that were calling for Park's resignation. The concerned document, titled 'Wartime Martial Law and Joint Action Plan' was allegedly drafted by the Defense Security Command (DSC) in March 2017.

The human rights group argues that the plan is a clear violation of democracy and an attempt to undermine the constitution. The document reportedly includes measures to arrest and detain protest leaders, censor the media, and restrict political parties. It also mentions the possibility of expanding martial law nationwide if the protests against Park's impeachment turned more violent.

However, the military has denied the allegations, claiming that the document was merely a theoretical exercise and not an actual plan of action. They argue that it was a part of a regular review of military law enforcement in case of emergency situations. This follows the argument that the military was preparing to maintain order in the face of the political turmoil that engulfed the country during the impeachment process.

The controversy has sparked a new wave of tension in South Korea, a nation still grappling with the aftermath of Park's impeachment. The former president was removed from office in March 2017 following allegations of corruption and influence peddling. She was later sentenced to 24 years in prison. The alleged military plan has added fuel to the ongoing debate about the role of the military in a democratic society, with critics arguing that such plans undermine democratic principles and threaten civil liberties.

The incident has also put the spotlight on President Moon Jae-in, who has promised to reform the DSC in the wake of the controversy. The President has pledged to ensure that the military remains politically neutral and is committed to upholding democratic principles. The controversy has brought the issue of military intervention in politics to the fore, raising questions about the balance of power and the role of the military in a democratic society.