South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, accusing opposition parties of crippling governance, sympathizing with North Korea, and undermining the nation’s constitutional order.
Televised address shocks the nation
The unexpected announcement, made during a televised address, caused widespread shock. While South Korea has experienced authoritarian rule in the past, it has been considered democratic since the 1980s.
'Protecting constitutional order'
"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 stated. He defended the decision as necessary to protect the nation's constitutional order and freedoms.
Budget dispute sparks tensions
The declaration comes amid heightened disputes between Yoon's People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget. Opposition lawmakers, who hold a majority in the 300-member parliament, recently approved a downsized budget proposal, which Yoon criticized for slashing key funds.
"Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order," Yoon said.
Opposition blamed for public safety chaos
Yoon accused the opposition of slashing budgets crucial for combating drug crimes and ensuring public safety. He warned that such actions had turned South Korea into "a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos."
Implementation of martial law unclear
Specific measures under martial law remain undisclosed, leaving questions about its implementation. Yoon emphasized the need to "restore the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces."
Opposition condemns martial law
The opposition has fiercely criticized the move. Leader Lee Jae-myung warned of dire consequences in an online livestream, saying, "Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably." He urged citizens to gather at the National Assembly.
Division among ruling party members
Korean news agency Yonhap reported that ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon opposed the declaration, calling it "wrong" and pledging to block it with public support. Han’s statement reflects divisions within Yoon’s own party.
Heightened tensions
The strained relationship between Yoon and the opposition reached a breaking point earlier this year when Yoon became the first president since 1987 to skip the opening ceremony of a new parliamentary term. His office cited ongoing parliamentary probes and impeachment threats as the reason for his absence.
Opposition lawmakers claim that Yoon had undermined democratic processes by using his veto power against parliamentary bills and appointing loyalists to key military positions, fueling speculation about his intentions.
Political polarization
The martial law declaration has further polarized South Korea’s political landscape. Experts warn that the deepening divide could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“This confrontation has turned into a political war,” said had Choi Jin, head of the Institute for Presidential Leadership. “It’s an all-or-nothing battle that benefits no one.”
Jhee Byong-kuen, a political science professor at Chosun University, had also criticized Yoon’s uncompromising leadership style, saying it exacerbates polarization and public disillusionment.