SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration late on Tuesday sparked shock, leading to a brief standoff with troops attempting to enter parliament.
The declaration, which Yoon framed as targeting his political opponents, was immediately opposed by lawmakers. The parliament speaker declared the move invalid, and a vote early Wednesday rejected it.
Even Yoon’s own party leader, Han Dong-hoon, opposed the decision, highlighting growing divisions within the ruling party over the president’s actions.
Live TV coverage showed helmeted troops, apparently tasked with enforcing law, trying to enter the parliament building. Parliamentary staff used fire extinguishers to block the soldiers’ advance.
Yoon defended the martial law, claiming opposition parties had “hijacked” the parliamentary process. He vowed to eliminate “pro-North Korean anti-state forces” and protect the constitution.
Protests erupted outside parliament as soon as Yoon’s announcement was made, with some demonstrators chanting: “Withdraw emergency martial law!” and “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!”
The military, under law, announced that political activities would be prohibited, and media would come under its control.
While Yoon did not mention any immediate external threat from North Korea, he focused on combating domestic political opposition.
This is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea, a country with a history of authoritarian regimes but a democratic system since the 1980s.
