South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: Reuters file

In an unexpected late-night address broadcast live on YTN television, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, asserting his intention to eliminate "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces." Yoon did not specify any direct threats from the nuclear-armed North, instead directing his remarks towards domestic political adversaries. This sudden action caused significant turmoil in the nation, which, despite having a history of early authoritarian leaders, has been regarded as democratic since the 1980s. The Korean won experienced a sharp decline against the U.S. dollar. The White House has not yet issued a response to a request for comment.

Yoon stated that he had no alternative but to implement such measures to preserve the free and constitutional order, accusing opposition parties of hijacking the parliamentary process and plunging the country into crisis. "I declare martial law to safeguard the free Republic of Korea from the menace of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the contemptible pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are robbing our people of their freedom and happiness, and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon declared. He did not elaborate on the specific actions that would be taken during the address. According to Yonhap news agency, access to the parliament building was blocked.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in parliament, expressed his concerns in a livestream, stating, "Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will govern the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irreversibly. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly." Yoon referenced a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, to impeach several of the country's top prosecutors and its rejection of a government budget proposal. South Korea's ministers protested last week's move by the opposition DP to cut over 4 trillion won from the government's budget proposal. Yoon argued that this action undermines the fundamental functioning of government administration.

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