South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared “emergency martial law,” accusing opposition parties of sabotaging governance, sympathizing with North Korea, and threatening the nation’s constitutional order.
The surprise announcement, delivered during a televised address, left many in shock. Although South Korea has a history of authoritarian rule, it has been regarded as a democracy since the 1980s.
“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 justified the decision as essential for safeguarding the country’s constitutional order and freedoms.
The announcement comes amidst escalating tensions between Yoon’s People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget. Opposition lawmakers, holding a majority in the 300-member parliament, recently approved a reduced budget proposal, which Yoon criticized for cutting vital 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.
Yoon accused the opposition of cutting budgets essential for fighting drug crimes and maintaining public safety. He warned that these actions had transformed South Korea into “a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos.”
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Details of the specific measures under martial law have not been revealed, raising uncertainty about its implementation. Yoon stressed the importance of “restoring the country to normalcy by getting rid of anti-state forces.”
The opposition has strongly condemned the move. Leader Lee Jae-myung cautioned of severe consequences during an online livestream, stating, “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 called on citizens to gather at the National Assembly.
Korean news agency Yonhap reported that ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon opposed the declaration, describing it as “wrong” and vowing to block it with public support. Han’s statement highlights divisions within Yoon’s own party.
The strained relationship between Yoon and the opposition reached a tipping 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 investigations and impeachment threats as the reason for his absence.
Opposition lawmakers argue that Yoon has undermined democratic processes by using his veto power against parliamentary bills and appointing loyalists to important military positions, sparking speculation about his motives.
The martial law declaration has deepened the polarization of South Korea’s political landscape. Experts caution that this growing divide could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
“This confrontation has turned into a political war,” said 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, also criticized Yoon’s inflexible leadership style, stating that it exacerbates polarization and public disillusionment.
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