South Korea: President Yun Suk Yeol has declared emergency martial law in South Korea today (December 3, 2024), accusing the opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in activities that cripple the government. has been applied. The announcement, made during a televised briefing, reflects South Korea’s ongoing political crisis and marks a turning point for South Korea.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces continued challenges from the opposition-controlled National Assembly after taking office in May 2022, called the move necessary to protect the country’s constitutional system. However, these are ambiguous for governance and democracy.

The opposition had made allegations

This announcement comes a month after the Democratic Party of Korea-led opposition demanded the impeachment of President Yoon over alleged abuse of power. The opposition said that the President wanted to avoid impeachment by imposing martial law. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung warned that martial law could lead to “absolute dictatorship”, pointing to historical precedents of its abuse.

Yun accused of spreading lies

In response, Yun’s office dismissed the allegations as fabricated propaganda and accused the opposition of spreading lies to influence public opinion. Prime Minister Han Duk-soo also denied the claims, insisting that South Koreans would not accept such a move.

Relations deteriorated in 1987

Strained relations between Yoon and the opposition had already reached a fever pitch when Yoon became the first president since 1987 to skip the inauguration of a new parliamentary term. His office cited the ongoing parliamentary investigation and threats of impeachment as the reason for his absence.

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