South Korean President Declares Emergency Martial Law Amid Political Turmoil
In an unprecedented move, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, claiming that the opposition controlled parliament, sympathized with North Korea, and hindered government operations. Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, Yoon cited the need to protect the nation from "anti-state elements" that threaten South Korea’s liberal democracy. His declaration prompted immediate protests, with hundreds gathering outside the National Assembly, where police and military units restricted access.
The National Assembly was sealed off after the announcement, with military helicopters making landfall and personnel on alert outside the building. Protesters expressed their outrage, demanding access to the parliament and challenging police actions. Yoon did not specify the measures that would be implemented under martial law. However, Park An-su, the martial law commander, conveyed that all political activities, media, and demonstrations would be tightly controlled. Furthermore, he ordered striking doctors back to work, amidst ongoing protests over government plans for medical school expansion.
The political landscape in South Korea has been fraught with tension as Yoon’s conservative People Power Party faces off against the opposition Democratic Party, which recently passed a curtailed budget plan. Yoon accused opposition lawmakers of undermining essential budgets and labeled them as "anti-state forces."
In reaction to the declaration, key figures from the opposition condemned Yoon’s actions as "illegal and unconstitutional." The Biden administration confirmed ongoing communication with the South Korean government, closely monitoring the unfolding situation.
As Yoon’s approval ratings have dwindled amidst political gridlock, his call for martial law signifies a drastic escalation in South Korea’s political conflicts, raising concerns about the future of democracy in the nation.
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