SEOUL, Dec 3: On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the implementation of “emergency martial law,” accusing the Opposition of undermining parliament, showing sympathy towards North Korea, and paralyzing the government through anti-state actions.
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In a televised address on December 3, 2024, Mr. Yoon declared his commitment to “eradicate pro-North Korean entities and safeguard the constitutional democratic order.”
The implications of Mr. Yoon’s declaration for South Korea’s governance and democratic principles remain uncertain. The announcement was met with immediate backlash from political figures, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who deemed the action “wrong” and pledged to “oppose it alongside the people.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Mr. Yoon in the 2022 presidential race, labeled the announcement as “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“Through this martial law, I aim to restore and safeguard the free Republic of Korea, which is on the brink of crisis,” Mr. Yoon stated in his televised address, referring to South Korea’s official designation.
“I will swiftly eradicate anti-state factions and normalize the country,” he added, urging citizens to have faith in him and endure “some inconveniences.”
Mr. Yoon, whose approval ratings have declined recently, has faced challenges in advancing his agenda in an opposition-led parliament since assuming office in 2022.
His conservative People Power Party has been in deadlock with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over the upcoming budget bill for next year. Additionally, the opposition is pursuing motions to impeach three senior prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, actions the conservatives describe as a vendetta against ongoing criminal investigations into Mr. Lee, who leads in opinion polls for the 2027 presidential election.
Moreover, Mr. Yoon has resisted calls for independent inquiries into scandals involving his wife and senior officials, which has drawn significant backlash from his political rivals. Reports indicate that the Democratic Party convened an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Mr. Yoon’s announcement. (Agencies)
