Consequences still unclear – South Korea’s president declares martial law – News

• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law.
• In a televised speech, he said he had no choice but to take this measure to protect the free and constitutional order.
• He accused the opposition parties of taking the parliamentary process hostage in order to plunge the country into a crisis.

He was declaring martial law to protect South Korea “from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces,” Yoon said.

In the speech broadcast live by broadcaster YTN, Yoon did not say what specific measures should be taken.

Yoon, whose approval ratings have fallen in recent months, has struggled to push his political agenda against the opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.

Access to Parliament blocked

The opposition criticized the move as a violation of the constitution. The head of Yoon’s own party also criticized the move. According to media reports, police buses blocked access to the parliament in Seoul.

Yonhap news agency quoted the military as saying that activities of parliament and political parties would be banned and that media and publishing houses would be placed under the control of the martial law command. It is the first time that martial law has been declared in South Korea since 1980.