South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared temporary martial law on Tuesday, accusing his political opposition of “anti-state activities” and colluding with North Korea.
Yoon accused opposition parties, which maintain a majority in the legislature, of intentionally disrupting the nation’s parliamentary proceedings and seeking to “paralyze” the government.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean, anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” the president said in a video address broadcasted on YTN, a South Korean news channel.
“Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order,” said Yoon, a member of the People Power Party.
Yoon’s message did not provide details on the implementation or parameters of the martial law declaration, only asking citizens to endure some “inconveniences” until order is restored.
People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon called the martial law announcement “wrong” and said he stands in opposition to the measure.
Not long after the announcement, Army chief of staff Gen. Park An-su issued a decree prohibiting political demonstrations and protests until further notice.
“President Yoon declared emergency martial law for no reason,” Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, stated, according to Yonhap News Agency. “Tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers with guns and swords will soon control the country.”
Lee later posted a video to social media allegedly showing himself climbing over a wall to enter the parliament grounds. Police personnel clashed with protesters trying to get through the gates of the parliament.
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The People Power Party and the Korea Democratic Party are locked in a stalemate over the passage of next year’s annual budget.
The Korea Democratic Party has also demanded Yoon and his wife be independently investigated for corruption after accepting a Christian Dior handbag from a Korean American pastor.