Resurfacing in the context of President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law statement this week are comments made by actor Gong Yoo during a 2005 interview, sparking backlash online.

The actor, who starred in several notable dramas and films, had previously named three most-admired figures-- his father, basketball great Michael Jordan, and former President Park Chung-hee.

Park Chung-hee, who came to power with a coup in 1961, has a controversial legacy in South Korea; credited with initiating the "Miracle on the Han River" — remarkable post-war economic growth — but was also accused of running an authoritarian regime.

Over the years, netizens have started to criticize Gong Yoo's apparent knowledge of history and what it means that he praises someone who stands for both progress and oppression.

Martial law was declared for the first time in 45 years by President Yoon, though 3rd, claiming it is necessary in the face of domestic threats by pro-North, as well as the North Korean itself.

Immediately following his address, which was an attempt to calm fears about national security, he faced backlash for what he had said.

The National Assembly quickly voted hours later to repeal the martial law, and Yoon revoked the declaration six hours later.

Immediately, reactions to Gong Yoo's resurfaced comments followed. A disappointed user said, "I did not know about this. I'm seriously turned off. Has he changed and adapted since then?" As another reader observed, "Some are just stupid and show they are stupid."

Still, some netizens pointed out that perhaps Gong Yoo had changed his mind over the years, with one saying, "But afterwards when he mentioned the candlelight protests, doesn't that mean he had a change of heart?"

Here are other comments from Korean netizens:

Critics accused Gong Yoo of calling for a suspension of the punishment of those who benefited from past dictatorships.