In a late-night address broadcast on YTN television, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law for the first time since 1980, vowing to eliminate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” Yoon justified the drastic move by accusing domestic political opponents of undermining the constitutional order and destabilizing the country, despite no immediate threat from North Korea.
The military reportedly stated that martial law would suspend parliamentary activities and place media and publishing under strict control. Yoon focused on opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, over their actions such as attempting to impeach top prosecutors and cutting substantial amounts from the government budget. Yoon accused them of disrupting governance and leading the country to crisis.
In response, opposition leaders, including Democratic Party head Lee Jae-myung, warned of the economic collapse and martial law’s potential to instigate military rule, with tanks and soldiers patrolling the country. Yoon did not specify the full measures to be enacted, but his announcement has sent shockwaves through the nation, which has maintained a democratic system since the 1980s. Meanwhile, the South Korean won fell sharply against the U.S. dollar, prompting concerns over economic stability.
U.S. officials have not yet commented, and the U.S. military, with 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, has remained silent on the issue.
