South Korean president declares martial law and halts political activities

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday afternoon, imposing sweeping restrictions across the country, including a temporary ban on all political activities. The move has blocked access to the parliament building, heightened military presence and provoked a nationwide outcry.

The declaration, made in a televised speech, grants the military extensive powers to enforce emergency regulations. Leading general Park An-su confirmed in a statement that press publications are now under government control and all forms of protest, including strikes and gatherings deemed to “provoke social unrest”, are strictly prohibited.

Further measures include revoking leave for healthcare workers and ensuring their mandatory availability. People who violate the new rules face the risk of immediate arrest. Security forces have been deployed in significant numbers, with TV footage showing helicopters landing on the roof of the National Assembly building and troops blocking its entrances.

Opposition and resistance

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea has called on her party members to gather at the National Assembly, defying the security lockdown. “This decision is unconstitutional and must be resisted,” Lee said in a statement to Yonhap News Agency.

Under South Korean law, martial law can only be overturned with a parliamentary vote. However, with the opposition holding a majority, conflict between the legislative and executive branches appears imminent.

In his announcement, Yoon argued that martial law was necessary to address what he described as a crisis engineered by the opposition. “Without concern for the people, the opposition party has paralysed the government with a view to impeachment and special investigations,” he said.

Yoon also accused the opposition of undermining the nation’s democratic principles. “Our national parliament has become a haven for criminals (...) who want to paralyse the administrative and judicial system and overthrow our liberal democratic order,” he said.

Polarised reaction

Yoon’s actions have sparked controversy, even among his allies. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, criticised the declaration, calling it “wrong” and vowing to oppose the measure. Critics, including international observers, have expressed alarm over the potential suppression of civil liberties under martial law.

Yoon’s administration has been plagued by scandals and legislative gridlock, with his opponents gaining a strong parliamentary majority in April’s elections. Parliament’s recent decision to cut the government’s proposed budget further strained relations between the executive and legislative branches.

^{​South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law during a televised address on 3 December 2024 © PHOTO JUNG YEON-JE / AFP}