Seoul, December 3, 2024 – The Europe Today: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the imposition of martial law in an unexpected late-night address broadcast live on YTN television on Tuesday. The declaration comes amid heightened political tensions and opposition-led challenges to the administration’s authority.
President Yoon stated that the decision was necessary to protect the nation’s constitutional order, accusing opposition parties of jeopardizing parliamentary processes and pushing the country into crisis.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon said.
The president did not specify the immediate measures to be enacted under martial law but highlighted recent actions by the opposition Democratic Party, including its motion to impeach senior prosecutors and rejection of a government budget proposal, as precipitating factors.
The Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, has yet to issue an official response to the president’s address. Observers note that this move is likely to intensify political polarization and could lead to significant legal and institutional challenges.
Martial law, which has not been declared in South Korea in decades, grants sweeping powers to the military and executive branch, potentially including suspension of civil liberties and heightened security measures. The declaration has sparked widespread concern among political leaders and the public regarding its implications for democracy and governance.
