In a notable shift within South Korea’s digital landscape, new installations of the global messaging app Telegram have surged dramatically, reflecting rising concerns over potential media censorship in the wake of a controversial martial law declaration. Data released on Tuesday by industry tracker IGAWorks revealed that the number of new Telegram installations reached an impressive 40,576 on the day President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law, a decision that was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly just hours later. This figure represents a staggering increase from the previous day’s total of 9,016 installations, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
From Tuesday to Friday of last week, Telegram emerged as the most downloaded mobile messenger in South Korea, a significant leap from its previous ranking. Just a month prior, Telegram was positioned fourth among newly downloaded messaging apps, while Line, developed by Naver Corp., held the top spot.
Telegram beats Line amid martial law concerns
The surge in Telegram’s popularity can be attributed to widespread apprehension among internet users regarding the potential shutdown of domestic messaging applications, such as KakaoTalk, under martial law. Many users have turned to Telegram as a reliable alternative, seeking to ensure their communication remains uninterrupted and free from censorship.
Amid this backdrop, the political climate has intensified, with prosecutors questioning former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun as part of an investigation into alleged treason linked to President Yoon’s brief martial law imposition. Kim played a pivotal role in the president’s abrupt declaration, which lasted merely six hours before being rescinded following a National Assembly vote. Speculation has arisen that Kim may have been the advisor behind Yoon’s controversial decision.
Following the lifting of martial law, Kim resigned and voluntarily presented himself at the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office early Sunday. He was subsequently taken into custody at a detention facility in eastern Seoul under emergency arrest provisions, which allow prosecutors a 48-hour window to detain and interrogate a suspect.
