South Korean president declares martial law against 'North Korean communist forces'

The measure is supposed to “eliminate anti-state elements” that threaten South Korea.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in an emergency declaration on Tuesday, December 3, at the presidential office in Yongsan. “To protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements, (…) I declare emergency martial law”declared the president in a televised address in the evening. The head of state, however, did not specify the specific measures that would be taken, but certain rights could be limited within this country after the establishment of this martial law.

In the same statement, the conservative president in office since May 2022 accused the main opposition party of sympathy with North Korea and paralysis of the government. The Democratic Party, opposed to Yoon Sud-yeol's Conservative Party, controls the local Parliament.