South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” in a surprise late-night television address on Tuesday, accusing the main opposition party of undermining national stability and engaging in actions against the state.
In his address, President Yoon criticised the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, for attempting to paralyse the government through impeachment motions and budgetary cuts.
He claimed these actions were “unprecedented” and alleged that the opposition had aligned itself with North Korea’s agenda to destabilise his administration.
“To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon announced, though he did not specify the immediate measures to be implemented under the martial law declaration.
The impeachment motions in question target senior prosecutors, a move Yoon described as an attack on his administration’s ability to function effectively. The opposition has also opposed the government’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, intensifying political tension in the country.
In the wake of the announcement, local media reported chaotic scenes at the National Assembly. According to Yonhap News Agency, access to parliament has been blocked, leaving lawmakers unable to convene.
YTN TV stated that the parliament speaker was on his way to the assembly, though it remains unclear how the session will proceed under the current circumstances.
