Right-wing S Korean president declares martial law, claims opposition engaged in ‘anti-state’ activity

Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law for first time in 45 years

Right-wing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law today, accusing the centrist Democratic Party (DPK), which controls Korea’s parliament since a landslide general election win in April, and other opposition parties of “anti-state” activity and pledging to ‘eliminate’ such forces, which he says are sympathetic to North Korea, to stop the country “falling into the depths of national ruin”. He said this would mean “some inconveniences” for the Korean people.

The last time martial law was put into force in South Korea was 1979, before its democratisation in 1987. Even Yoon’s own party leaders have condemned the move. Parliament and other gatherings the now-military regime considers will cause ‘social confusion’ have been suspended, effectively banned.

The regime has also ordered Korea’s doctors, who have been striking for months, to return to work within 48 hours. It is unclear how long the martial law can last under Korean law. Usually, under Korea’s constitution, it can be lifted by a majority vote in parliament – but with the National Assembly suspended and blocked by police, no such vote can take place.

Yoon’s People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon called Yoon’s decision “wrong” and said he would “stop it with the people[‘s help].” Opposition DPK leader Lee Jae-myung, who came close to taking the presidency in 2022, said the martial law announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.”

Yoon has recently attempted to brush aside calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials. The DPK is reported to have called an emergency meeting of its parliamentarians.

The move appears to be part of a growing global move by right-wing leaders to suppress opposition and bypass laws and constitutions to seize or consolidate power.

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