“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,” Yoon said in a live televised address.
“This is 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.”
The liberal opposition Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon’s announcement.
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agendas against an opposition-controlled parliament. Yoon’s conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill.
