ALBAWABA- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday in an unannounced address broadcast live on national television, pledging to eradicate what he called “pro-North Korean anti-state forces” threatening the country's constitutional order.
The declaration, a first in decades, has sent shockwaves through South Korea and drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders.
In his address, Yoon accused opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Party (DP) that holds a parliamentary majority, of hijacking the legislative process and creating a national crisis.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to safeguard the constitutional order,” he said, though he cited no direct threats from North Korea.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of the DP condemned the move as authoritarian overreach, warning of severe economic repercussions and calling citizens to gather at the National Assembly in protest.
“Tanks, armed vehicles, and soldiers will rule the country,” Lee said in a live-streamed address.
The announcement followed heated disputes between Yoon's administration and the DP over budget cuts amounting to 4 trillion won ($3 billion) and attempts to impeach top prosecutors. The president argued these actions undermined government functionality and necessitated drastic measures.
Yonhap News reported a heavy military presence around the parliament building, though no details of specific measures under martial law were provided.
The declaration has drawn immediate domestic and international scrutiny, with no comment yet from the White House.
The move has also unsettled financial markets, with the Korean won plunging sharply against the US dollar.
Analysts warn of potential instability in a nation long regarded as a beacon of democracy in East Asia since its transition from authoritarian rule in the 1980s.
This unprecedented step has plunged South Korea into political uncertainty, with questions mounting about its implications for democracy and governance.
