UPDATE: The South Korean parliament has voted unanimously, 190-0, to lift President Yoon’s recently declared martial law.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government, sympathizing with North Korea, and engaging in anti-state activities.
“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 in a nationally televised address.
He accused the opposition of stalling governance, saying, “With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations, and shielding their leader from justice.”
Following Yoon’s declaration, South Korea’s National Assembly was sealed, according to Yonhap News Agency. Live television footage showed helicopters landing on the building’s roof in Seoul.
Martial law commander Park An-su outlined severe restrictions, announcing a ban on all political activities and strict media monitoring. “Political activities by the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and associations are prohibited. All media and publications will be controlled by the Martial Law Command,” Park stated.
The military also ordered striking doctors to return to work within 48 hours. Thousands have been on strike for months, protesting the government’s plans to increase medical school enrollments.
Yoon’s decision faced immediate backlash. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, called the move “wrong” and vowed to oppose it with public support. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemned it as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
The White House confirmed it is in contact with the South Korean government and “monitoring the situation closely.”
The declaration comes amid deepening political turmoil. Yoon’s People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party have clashed over the national budget, with opposition lawmakers recently pushing through a downsized version. Yoon also faces calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials.
In his address, Yoon accused the opposition of slashing essential budgets for combating drug crimes and maintaining public security. “Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship seeking to overturn our democratic order,” he asserted.
Labeling the opposition as “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime,” Yoon defended his drastic action as “inevitable.” He pledged, “I will restore the country to normalcy by eliminating these forces as soon as possible.”
