In his address, President Yoon described the decision as necessary to “eradicate pro-North factions and protect the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea.” (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, citing escalating threats to national security and constitutional order.
The announcement, delivered in an emergency address from the presidential office in Yongsan, invoked Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution, which permits martial law in cases of war, armed conflict, or national emergencies requiring military intervention to maintain public order.
Under martial law, civil liberties such as freedom of the press, assembly, and legal protections may be curtailed. The Constitution mandates that the president inform the National Assembly of the declaration without delay, and the Assembly holds the authority to revoke it with a majority vote.
In his address, President Yoon described the decision as necessary to “eradicate pro-North factions and protect the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea.”
He accused the opposition Democratic Party of unprecedented legislative obstruction, citing a series of impeachment attempts against government officials and alleged efforts to paralyze the judiciary and executive branches.
Yoon criticized recent budget cuts targeting core national functions, including public safety and anti-narcotics initiatives, describing the measures as a “mockery of national finances” and an act of “legislative dictatorship.”
He framed the opposition’s actions as a coordinated effort to destabilize the state, labeling them as “clear anti-state behavior and an attempt to incite insurrection.”
Martial law has been declared 16 times in South Korea’s history, with 12 instances involving emergency martial law. This declaration marks the most significant use of presidential powers under Yoon’s administration and signals deepening political and social tensions.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
