South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the country’s opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and crippling the government for anti-government actions.
Yoon made the announcement during a televised address, vowing to “eliminate the pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” He announced this step as important to protect the country’s constitution. It was not yet clear how these measures would affect the country’s governance and democracy.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of the North Korean Communist forces, to eliminate the anti-national forces of North Korea that are robbing the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order. ,” said Yoon.
The dramatic move shocked the entire country, which had a series of dictatorial leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. The Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Access to parliament blocked: news agency
Yonhap news agency reported that the door of the parliament building was closed.
“Tanks, armored personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, said live on the Internet.
“The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irreparably. My people, please come to the National Assembly.”
Yoon – whose approval rating has dipped in recent months – has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.
Yoon’s conservative People Power Party has been locked in a dispute with the opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill. He has also rejected calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and senior officials, drawing swift and strong rebuke from his political rivals.
The Democratic Party is reported to have called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon’s announcement.
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