On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law during an unexpected late-night broadcast on television, stating his intention to eliminate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.”
While he did not refer to any immediate threats from North Korea, Yoon directed his comments toward his domestic political opponents. The announcement shocked the nation, which, despite having experienced periods of authoritarian rule, has been considered a democracy since the 1980s.
Following the address, the Korean won sharply declined against the US dollar. The White House has yet to comment on the situation.
Yoon argued that martial law was necessary to protect the constitutional order and the country’s freedom, claiming that opposition parties had taken control of the parliamentary process and were pushing the country into crisis.
