South Korean President Yoon declares martial law: NPR

On Tuesday evening, people at a bus station in Seoul watch a television screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s briefing.

Ahn Young-joon/AP

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Ahn Young-joon/AP

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of trying to paralyze the government through subversive activities.

In a surprise televised address late in the evening, Yoon said the move was necessary to protect the country. He also accused the left-leaning opposition of being sympathetic to North Korea and vowed to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.”

“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is plunging into the depths of national ruin,” Yoon said in his speech, without specifying how martial law would be enforced.

Yoon also urged South Koreans to have faith in him and tolerate “some unpleasantness” as he promised to “eliminate anti-state forces as soon as possible and normalize the country.”

Yoon took office in 2022 and faces a parliament dominated by the liberal opposition People Power Party. In recent weeks, the two parties have been at an impasse over the state budget for next year.

The former chief public prosecutor is now struggling with low approval ratings and is involved in scandals, including those involving his wife.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.