Seoul [South Korea], December 3: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of plotting an “insurgency” and attempting to overthrow the nation’s free democracy, as reported by the New York Times.
In a nationally televised speech, President Yoon criticized the opposition-controlled National Assembly for its actions, including the impeachment of his cabinet members and blocking his government’s budget plans. He stated that these moves have “paralyzed the administration” and undermined democratic principles.
“The National Assembly, which should have been the foundation of free democracy, has become a monster that destroys it,” Yoon remarked, according to the New York Times.
Martial Law Declaration
As reported by Al Jazeera, Yoon justified the martial law as a necessary step to restore order and protect the nation from internal and external threats.
“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,” he announced.
Yoon emphasized the need for this action, calling it an “unavoidable measure to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and guarantee the sustainability of the nation against the unrest stirred by these subversive, anti-state elements.”
Political Tensions Escalate
This declaration marks a historic moment, as it is the first instance of martial law being imposed in South Korea since the end of military dictatorship in the late 1980s. The political climate has been tense, with President Yoon, elected in 2022, locked in ongoing conflict with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill.
The Democratic Party has called for an emergency meeting in response to the declaration, further intensifying the political turmoil, Al Jazeera reported.
As South Korea navigates this unprecedented situation, concerns over democratic stability and governance remain at the forefront.