SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday (Dec 3) declared martial law in an unannounced late-night address broadcast live on national television.
Yoon said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure in order to safeguard free and constitutional order, saying opposition parties have taken hostage of the parliamentary process to throw the country into a crisis.
He also accused the opposition Democratic Party of anti-state activities and said the government administration has been paralysed because of its conduct.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon said.
He did not say in the address what specific measures would be taken. Yonhap news agency reported that the entrance to the parliament building was blocked.
Yonhap news agency cited the military as saying activities by parliament and political parties would be banned.
It said that under the martial law, all medical staff, including trainee doctors, would have to return to work in 48 hours.
All media and publishers would also now be under the control of the martial law command. Additionally, those who violate the martial law can be arrested without a warrant.
This is the first time since 1980 that martial law was declared in South Korea.
