South Korean President Yun Seok-Yeol on Tuesday accused him of sympathizing with communist North Korea, vowed to eliminate “anti-state” forces and declared martial law as he battles opposition forces that control parliament.
The surprising move, reminiscent of an era of authoritarian leadership the country hasn’t seen since the 1980s, was swiftly condemned by opposition parties and the leader of Mr. Yun’s own Conservative party.
Following Yoon’s announcement, South Korea’s military announced it would cancel congresses and other political gatherings that could cause “social disorder,” according to the government-funded Yonhap news agency.
The military also said striking doctors in the country should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap News reported. Thousands of doctors have been on strike for months over government plans to expand the number of students in medical schools.
It was not immediately clear how long Yun’s declaration of martial law would last. Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted by a majority vote in the parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds a majority. Television footage showed police blocking the entrance to parliament.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s conservative People’s Power Party, called the decision to impose martial law “a mistake” and vowed to “work with the people to stop it.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, criticized Yoon’s announcement as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
In a televised address, Yun said martial law would help the country “rebuild itself and protect it from falling into the depths of national ruin.” “We will eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order,” he said.
“We will eliminate anti-national forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconvenience.”
Yun, whose approval ratings have declined in recent months, has struggled to push his policies through the opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.
Yun’s party is locked in an impasse with liberal opposition parties over next year’s budget. The opposition parties are also trying to pass a motion to impeach three senior prosecutors, including the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, in retaliation for the criminal investigation against Lee, which is viewed as the most likely candidate by conservatives. Polls predict the next presidential election will take place in 2027.
Mr. Yoon has also rejected demands for an independent investigation into the scandal involving his wife and senior government officials, prompting strong rebuke from his political opponents. The Democratic Party of Japan reportedly convened an emergency parliamentary meeting in response to Yoon’s announcement.
Yun’s measures are the first martial law to be declared since democratization in 1987. The last time martial law was declared was in October 1979.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
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