South Korean president declares martial law

New Delhi, Dec 3: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law, reducing the nation into its most severe state of emergency since 1979. The announcement, made during a late-night televised address, cited the dual threats of North Korean aggression and domestic “anti-state elements” as reasons for imposing martial law as reported by the western media.

President Yoon, who described the move as essential to protecting the nation’s constitutional order, declared: “I have no choice but to safeguard the free Republic of Korea from North Korean communist forces and eradicate despicable pro-North Korean anti-state elements.”

The declaration comes as a bitter standoff continues between Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP) over next year’s budget. The political impasse has paralysed parliament, prompting Yoon to invoke emergency powers that grant sweeping authority to military commanders.

Under martial law, civil liberties are sharply curtailed. Arrests can be made without warrants, parliamentary activity has been suspended, and media operations are now under military oversight. Even medical workers have been ordered to return to work within 48 hours.

The Yonhap news agency as quoted by BBC reported that police buses had been deployed to block access to the National Assembly, preventing opposition lawmakers from convening to challenge the declaration. The last time South Korea saw martial law was after the assassination of dictator Park Chung-hee in 1979, an era remembered for political turmoil and heavy-handed military rule.

Opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, has condemned the declaration of martial law calling it an unconstitutional power grab. He urged his party’s lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly and called on the public to join in resisting the measure. “This is a blatant violation of our democracy,” Lee said, vowing to vote down the martial law declaration. Even within Yoon’s own party, dissent is emerging.

Yoon’s presidency has faced mounting challenges since his narrow election victory in 2022 where he defeated Lee Jae-myung by just 0.7 percentage points—the closest margin since direct elections began in 1987. The media reported that his government’s administration has been plagued by low approval ratings, scandals and legislative gridlock.

While martial law is technically temporary, its duration remains uncertain. Critics fear it could be extended indefinitely. For President Yoon, the coming days will determine whether his gamble to impose martial law solidifies his authority—or deepens his political isolation.