Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared emergency martial law, citing the need to address “anti-state activities plotting rebellion” by the opposition. The announcement, made during a televised address, emphasized the government’s intention to eradicate pro-North Korean elements and protect the nation’s constitutional order.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this significant decision follows the opposition Democratic Party’s (DP) actions in the parliamentary budget committee, where they passed a downsized budget bill and submitted impeachment motions against a state auditor and the chief prosecutor. President Yoon criticized these moves as unprecedented obstacles to the executive branch’s functioning and accused the DP of using legislative processes to shield its leader, Lee Jae-myung, from prosecution.

Yoon addressed the nation, acknowledging the potential inconvenience caused by martial law but committed to restoring normalcy. He stressed the importance of maintaining the government’s foreign policy an
d responsibilities within the global community. Highlighting the opposition’s repeated impeachment motions since his inauguration, Yoon described the situation as unparalleled in the nation’s history and a threat to its democratic system.

The president expressed concerns over the downsized budget bill, warning it could compromise essential government functions such as drug crime prevention and public safety. He accused the opposition of transforming the National Assembly into a sanctuary for criminals and attempting to destabilize the democratic system through legislative dominance.

Under the Constitution, the president is empowered to declare martial law under specific circumstances, allowing restrictions on freedoms including press, publication, and assembly. The DP, holding 170 seats in the 300-member parliament, possesses the capacity to revoke martial law with a majority vote. In response to Yoon’s declaration, the DP has urgently summoned its lawmakers to the National Assembly, though access is curren
tly restricted.