In a late-night televised address on December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities.

President Yoon cited actions by the Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, including motions to impeach senior prosecutors and reject the government’s budget proposal. He described these moves as “clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion” and accused the party of “paralyzing state affairs” and turning the National Assembly into “a den of criminals.”

Declaring martial law, Yoon called it a necessary step to address what he termed “shameless pro-North anti-state forces” and to safeguard public freedoms, national security, and the country’s democratic system for future generations.

The announcement has caused immediate political turmoil. Local media reported that access to the National Assembly was blocked, preventing lawmakers from convening, despite the parliament speaker’s efforts to organize a session.

Yoon further accused the opposition of creating a “state of disorder” that endangered public safety, alleging the party had turned South Korea into a “drug haven” and was working to overthrow the nation’s liberal democracy. “The National Assembly has become a monster undermining democracy, leaving the nation teetering on the edge of collapse,” he said.

He pledged to eliminate what he called “anti-state forces” and restore normalcy as swiftly as possible, while acknowledging that martial law could cause some public inconvenience. However, Yoon assured citizens that efforts would be made to minimize disruptions.