SEOUL – In an unexpected late-night televised address, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law, calling it ‘imperative’ to end shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.
It is the first time martial law has been declared in the country in the last four decades as political party activities and parliamentary operations would be suspended, and media outlets would come under the control of armed forces.
In his speech, Yeol comes down hard on domestic political opponents, accusing them of destabilizing the country of around 52 million people. The martial law announcement sent shockwaves across the region, as South Korea remained under democratic rule since 1980, when massive anti-government demonstrations ended 18-year rule ofthe military.
Amid the outrage, the South Korean president defended the unilateral move to protect constitutional order and prevent a crisis triggered by opposition parties. After the shock announcement, the entrance to the National Assembly was blocked.
It also faced opposition from political leaders, including Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s own conservative party, who called it a wrong decision. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung leads Democratic Party, warned that the imposition of martial law could lead to military rule and economic collapse, urging citizens to take action at the National Assembly.
Yoon justified his move by citing the opposition’s recent actions, including attempts to impeach top prosecutors and their rejection of the government’s budget proposal.
Background of South Korea vs North Korea Cold War
The conflict between South Korea and North Korea started with the division of the Korean Peninsula after World War II, resulting in the creation of two distinct nations.
It led to the Korean War which ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving both capitalist and army-controlled technically still at war. Tensions have been further fueled by North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, a program that South Korea and its allies, particularly Washington, strongly oppose.
Over the time, the world witnessed military skirmishes, provocations, and missile tests. Despite efforts to ease tensions through diplomacy, including summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018, meaningful progress has been limited.
The region continues to be region of high instability, with the issues of nuclear weapons, military provocations, and ideological differences shaping the ongoing conflict between the two sides.
North Korea warns of nuclear response if South Korea provokes
