DIRECT. South Korea: President proclaims martial law and causes political chaos in the country

All political activities banned and parliament placed under seal

South Korea's parliament was sealed off following the president's announcement of martial law, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, and helicopters landed on its roof, according to live footage broadcast by television channels.

A surprise intervention in a context of heated debate

“Without concern for the people's livelihood, the opposition party has paralyzed the government, for the purposes of impeachments, special investigations and to protect its leader from legal prosecution,” said the South Korean president in his surprise intervention, which comes as Mr. Yoon's People Power Party continues to battle with the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, over next year's proposed budget.

“Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the administrative and judicial systems and overthrow our liberal democratic order,” Yoon added. He accused the elected representatives of the opposition of cutting “all budgets essential to the primary functions of the nation which are the fight against drug-related crimes and the maintenance of public security (…) transforming the country into a a drug haven and a place of chaos for public safety.” Mr. Yoon went on to characterize the opposition, which holds a majority in Parliament, as “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime.” He assured that his decision was “inevitable”. “I will restore normalcy to the country by getting rid of these anti-state forces as soon as possible,” added the South Korean president.

South Korean president declares martial law against “North Korean communist forces”

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, saying the measure was necessary to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces” amid a heated parliamentary debate over the budget. “To protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate elements hostile to the state… I declare emergency martial law,” the president said live in a live broadcast. surprise televised address by the president.