Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a stunning late-night announcement on Tuesday, declaring martial law in a televised address that sent shockwaves through the nation. Accusing opposition parties of hijacking the parliamentary process, Yoon vowed to eliminate what he called "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces" to uphold constitutional order.

According to Yonhap news agency, the military confirmed that under martial law, activities by political parties and parliament would be suspended, while media outlets and publishers would fall under the control of the martial law command. Notably, Yoon’s address focused not on external threats from nuclear-armed North Korea but on domestic political adversaries. This marks South Korea's first declaration of martial law since 1980, a stark reminder of its authoritarian past despite decades of democracy.

The announcement had immediate economic repercussions, with the Korean won dropping sharply against the U.S. dollar. South Korea’s central bank announced it was prepared to intervene to stabilize the market, while Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting with top economic officials.

Former President Moon Jae-in, a member of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), expressed grave concern over the situation, calling it a crisis for the nation’s democracy. “I urge the National Assembly to act swiftly to safeguard our democracy and prevent its collapse,” Moon wrote on X, urging public support for the assembly.

International reactions were cautious, with the United States confirming it was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with South Korea’s government. The U.S. has approximately 28,500 troops stationed in the country as a deterrent against North Korea. Meanwhile, Japan’s government refrained from commenting immediately.


In his address, Yoon framed his actions as necessary to defend South Korea’s freedom and constitutional order against alleged threats from pro-North Korean forces, although he provided no specific evidence or names. The president condemned the opposition DP for attempting to impeach key prosecutors and for blocking a government budget proposal, accusing the party of criminal behavior and destabilizing the nation.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung described the move as catastrophic, warning of dire consequences for South Korea’s economy and democracy. In a live broadcast, he called on citizens to rally at the National Assembly, where reports indicated entrances had been blocked. “The Republic of Korea is on the brink of collapse,” Lee declared.

Yoon’s announcement followed weeks of political turmoil, including opposition demands for a special investigation into allegations of fraud involving the first lady. In recent protests, opposition parties and civic groups have accused Yoon of undermining democratic processes.

Tensions between Yoon’s government and the opposition had also been fueled by North Korean propaganda leaflets discovered in Seoul last month, some of which targeted the president and the first lady. Yoon’s critics argue that his focus on internal political disputes rather than external threats risks deepening the nation’s divisions at a critical juncture.

The president’s decision has sparked fierce debate, raising questions about the balance of power in South Korea and the future of its democratic institutions.