South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on the night of December 3 in an unannounced late-night speech broadcast live on YTN television.
President Yoon Suk Yeol said he had no choice but to use such measures to protect the free order and the constitution, accusing opposition parties of taking advantage of the parliamentary process to push the country into crisis.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat” from North Korea, “to destroy the anti-state forces” that threaten the freedom and happiness of the people, and to protect the constitution.
In his speech, President Yoon Suk Yeol did not say what specific measures would be taken regarding martial law.
The announcement on the night of December 3 marked the first time in 44 years that a South Korean president had declared martial law, following a pro-democracy uprising against the South Korean military government in 1980, the Korean Herald reported.
In announcing martial law, President Yoon Suk-yeol also pointed to moves by the opposition Democratic Party - which holds a majority in South Korea's National Assembly - this week to impeach some of the country's top prosecutors and its rejection of the government's budget proposal.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung said President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and that the National Assembly would try to nullify the order. However, he pointed out that the military would likely try to arrest members of parliament under martial law.
According to footage from South Korean television station YTN, police vehicles are blocking the main entrance to the parliament.
Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun convened a meeting with key commanders as President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law, the Korean Herald reported.
The meeting was attended by commanders from across the country and Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered all forces to be on high alert, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
