South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday in an unannounced live broadcast, accusing opposition parties of destabilizing the nation and pledging to eliminate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.”
This marks the first declaration of martial law in South Korea since 1980, a decision that has sent shockwaves through a country considered a stable democracy for decades.
According to Yonhap news agency, the military has announced the suspension of parliamentary and political party activities, alongside restrictions on media and publishing under the control of a newly established martial law command.
Yoon’s address did not point to any immediate threats from North Korea, despite the ongoing security challenges posed by the nuclear-armed state. Instead, he focused on domestic political opponents, accusing them of holding the parliamentary process hostage and obstructing government functions.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to safeguard our constitutional order,” Yoon stated, adding that opposition parties had plunged the country into crisis.
The Korean won (KRW=) plummeted against the U.S. dollar following the announcement. A central bank official said it was prepared to take measures to stabilize the financial market if necessary.
The opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a parliamentary majority, condemned the move. Lee Jae-myung, the DP leader, warned that Yoon’s actions would have dire consequences for the country. “Tanks, soldiers, and weapons will dominate our nation. The economy will face irreversible collapse,” Lee said in a livestream, calling on citizens to rally at the National Assembly.
The martial law declaration follows a series of confrontations between Yoon’s administration and the opposition. The DP recently moved to impeach senior prosecutors and rejected the government’s budget proposal, slashing over 4 trillion won. Yoon cited these actions as undermining essential governance and justifying his decision.
International reactions remain muted, with the White House and U.S. military command in South Korea yet to comment. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in the country to deter threats from the North.
The declaration has sparked fears of a return to authoritarianism, with uncertainty looming over how Yoon’s administration will enforce martial law and its potential long-term implications for South Korea’s democracy.
