South Korean President announces imposition of martial law
Photo: Yoon Suk Yeol, President of South Korea (Getty Images)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" in the country, accusing the opposition of controlling the parliament and paralyzing government operations through anti-state activities, according to the Associated Press.
During a televised briefing, the president stated that imposing martial law is critically important for protecting the country’s constitutional order.
He also claimed that opposition forces hold dominant influence in parliament, demonstrate loyalty to North Korea, and obstruct the government’s operations by engaging in actions that can be seen as against national interests.
Conflict between South Korea’s president and opposition
According to AP, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose approval ratings have significantly declined in recent months, has faced challenges in implementing his political agenda since his election in 2022 due to resistance from the opposition-controlled parliament.
The president’s conservative ruling party has clashed with the liberal Democratic Party over next year’s budget approval. At the same time, Yoon Suk Yeol has ignored calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing sharp criticism from opponents.
In response to Yoon’s statements, the Democratic Party reportedly convened an emergency meeting of its lawmakers.
