South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law during an unexpected late-night television address on Tuesday, accusing the primary opposition party of aligning with North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities.
Yoon did not specify the exact measures that would be implemented. He referenced a motion from the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, aimed at impeaching senior prosecutors and rejecting a proposed government budget. He characterized the actions of the opposition as “evident anti-state conduct intended to provoke insurrection.”
Furthermore, he asserted that these actions have “disrupted state operations and transformed the National Assembly into a hub of criminality.” Yoon portrayed martial law as a crucial step to eliminate these “unrepentant pro-North anti-state elements.” He defended this decision as vital for safeguarding the freedoms and security of the populace, ensuring the nation’s stability, and bequeathing a secure country to future generations.
The speaker of parliament is en route to the assembly and intends to call a session, as reported by local broadcaster YTN TV. However, Yonhap news agency indicated that access to the parliament is obstructed, preventing lawmakers from entering. Yoon accused the opposition of converting the country into a “drug haven” and fostering a state of chaos that threatens public safety and well-being.
He further claimed that the Democratic Party was seeking to dismantle the liberal democratic framework, stating, “The National Assembly has morphed into a beast that undermines liberal democracy, and the nation is in a fragile condition, on the brink of collapse.”