South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun was subjected to nationwide protests and angry demonstrations when he present a plan to invoke a state of emergency and impose martial law in 2004. Roh, a member of the progressive liberal party, had promised to reform the country and fight against corruption, but his decision to invoke martial law was seen as a betrayal of his campaign pledges. The move was intended to institute greater government control and suppress opposition to the government’s economic plan to save South Korea from the 1997 financial crisis.Facing intense opposition, Roh’s options were limited. He was overthrown and succeeded by a conservative president, Lee Myung-bak.