South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared military martial law yesterday, a move sharply criticized by the opposition, which holds a parliamentary majority, as unnecessary. Meanwhile, the parliament, with 190 of 300 members present, adopted a resolution demanding the repeal of the state of emergency declared by the president.
Yoon, a former prosecutor, previously accused opposition lawmakers of slashing “all critical budgets necessary for the state’s basic functions, such as combating drug trafficking and maintaining public safety… turning the country into a drug haven and a state in public safety chaos.”
The president further labeled the opposition, which commands a majority in the 300-member parliament, as “anti-state forces intent on toppling the regime.”
Yoon described the imposition of martial law and the state of emergency as “unavoidable to ensure the continuity of a liberal South Korea,” adding that it would not affect the country’s foreign policy.
“I will return the country to normal by eliminating the anti-state forces as quickly as possible,” he stated, offering no further explanation beyond mentioning the martial law already in effect.
He characterized the current situation as placing South Korea “on the brink of collapse, with the National Assembly acting like a monster intent on destroying liberal democracy.”
Under martial law and the state of emergency, all military units in the South – technically still at war with the nuclear-armed North – were ordered to heighten their readiness levels, according to South Korean media.
Military Martial Law Commander Park An-su explained that with this decision, all political activities, including those of the assembly, are currently banned, and all media outlets are under government surveillance.
The entrance to the National Assembly has been sealed, and lawmakers are barred from entering the building.
Media outlets note that the imposition of martial law comes at a time when Yoon’s approval rating has dropped to 19%, according to the latest Gallup poll last week. Many citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and controversies involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, AFP writes.
