Soldiers Deployed During Martial Law Suffer Psychological Stress, Say They Were Lied To

Soldiers who were suddenly mobilized as martial law troops are now suffering from psychological stress.

On Friday, Representative Park Sun Won of the Democratic Party of Korea reported that soldiers deployed to the National Assembly during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3 are experiencing severe stress.

According to Rep. Park, Special Forces soldiers who arrived at the National Assembly were shocked to learn their target was the legislature. Many expressed feelings of betrayal, saying, “We were told we were being deployed because of North Korea,” and “I cursed internally thousands of times out of frustration. What is this even about?”

The soldiers were dismayed at being deceived by their superiors, saying, “It felt terrible to realize we had been lied to by the command.” Many are reportedly experiencing feelings of self-blame and psychological stress.

Rep. Park emphasized that while those responsible must be held accountable and punished, “the soldiers who showed patriotic devotion by refusing orders to escalate violence and avoided bloodshed on-site deserve comfort and encouragement.”

The psychological stress faced by the soldiers could be classified as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition triggered by experiencing shocking or traumatic events.

PTSD is a mental and physical condition that can develop after incidents such as war, torture, natural disasters, or serious accidents. Those affected relive the trauma through persistent flashbacks and struggle to move past it, often expending significant energy to avoid related triggers. The disorder can also hurt social functioning.

While the primary cause of PTSD is a traumatic event, not everyone who experiences such events develops the condition. Research indicates that while 60% of men and 50% of women experience significant life events, the lifetime prevalence of PTSD is only about 6.7%.

Key symptoms of PTSD include re-experiencing the traumatic event and avoiding related stimuli or situations. Symptoms can manifest one month—or even years—after the event. Patients may experience dissociation, panic attacks, or sensory distortions, such as auditory hallucinations.

Individuals with PTSD may exhibit aggressive tendencies, impulsive behavior, depression, or substance abuse. Cognitive issues, including decreased focus and memory problems, are also common. These symptoms can further complicate both personal and social functioning, highlighting the need for proper diagnosis and treatment.