South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, to protect the country from “communist forces” due to historical, geographical, and ideological differences with North Korea. Current concerns include North Korean nuclear programs, cyberattacks, and anti-state elements seeking to overthrow the South Korean government.
This move comes amid a budget dispute between Yoon’s People Power Party and the opposition-controlled parliament. In a televised address, President Yoon accused the main opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities.
Yoon stated that the martial law aims to “safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korean forces and eliminate anti-state elements.” In response, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional,” condemning it as a “power grab.” Lee warned that the declaration could lead to a militarized rule, with “tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives” controlling the country.
The international community is closely watching the situation, awaiting further developments.
