SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, saying the move was necessary to protect the country from “communist forces”, amid a parliamentary spat over a budget bill.
“To protect a liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements.” […] I declare emergency martial law here,” Yun said in a live televised address to the nation.
“Without concern for people’s livelihood, the opposition party has paralyzed governance just for the sake of impeachment, special investigation, and shielding its leader from justice,” he added.
The surprise move comes as Yun’s People’s Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party continue to spar over next year’s budget bill.
Opposition MPs approved a significantly reduced budget through a parliamentary committee last week.
“Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a base for legislative tyranny that seeks to paralyze the judicial and executive systems and subvert our liberal democratic system,” Yoon said.
He accused opposition lawmakers of “cutting all the important budgets necessary for the country’s basic functions, such as combating drug crime and maintaining public safety.” […] Turning the country into a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos.”
Yun called the decision “inevitable”, labeling the opposition, which has a majority in the 300-member parliament, as “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the government”.
“I will get the country back to normal by getting rid of the anti-state forces as soon as possible.”
He did not mention in the address what specific measures will be taken. Yonhap news agency reported that the entrance to the parliament building was blocked.
“Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in parliament, said in an online live stream.
“The economy of the Republic of Korea will be irretrievably destroyed. My countrymen, please come to the National Assembly,” he added.