South Korea's President Yoon declares 'emergency martial law', suspends parliament, opposed by own party leader

South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol has declared "emergency martial law" on Dec. 3, 2024 in a surprise televised briefing.

Martial law

Yoon accused opposition groups in the country of controlling the parliament, sympathising with North Korea, and paralysing the government with "anti-state activities", according to the Associated Press.

During his briefing, Yoon said he would "eradicate pro-North Korea forces and protect the constitutional democratic order".

AP reports that Yoon's approval rating has "dipped" in recent months.

The Korea Herald quotes Yoon as saying that he had made the declaration to prevent "anti-state forces" from "depriving South Korean citizens of their freedom and happiness."

He promised to "wipe out" those anti-state forces, and "normalise the country's operation"

According to The Korea Times Yoon's approval rating is at 25 per cent as of Dec. 2, and support for the government People Power Party (PPP) was now at 32.3 per cent, whereas approval for the opposition Democratic Party (DP) was 45.2 per cent.

'A hotbed of criminals'

Yoon's accusation that the parliament was controlled by the opposition is literally true, with his party doing poorly at the April 2024 legislative election.

The East Asia Forum reported in April that the DP had won 175 seats to the PPP's 108, reflecting Yoon's unpopularity just two years into his term.

His government has been plagued with scandal and unpopular decisions, most notably a scandal involving the first lady and her receiving a Dior bag.

The Korea Herald shed some light on the conflict, reporting that the opposition-controlled parliament attempted to make large cuts from Yoon's proposed budget, as well as remove the interior and defense ministers and the broadcasting regulator, but to name a few.

Opposed by other leaders

Yoon called the parliament, or National Assembly, a "hotbed of criminals".

In response, the DP's leader Lee Jae Myung, who ran against Yoon for president in 2022, called the move unconstitutional, saying that it "goes against the people", and that Yoon had declared martial law "for no reason", according to Yonhap.

The BBC reports that the head of Yoon's own party, Han Dong Hoon has vowed to block the declaration of martial law, saying it was "wrong".

The BBC also reports that the military have announced the suspension of all parliamentary activity, and that there was a heavy police presence outside the National Assembly building.

경찰이 국회를 봉쇄했습니다 pic.twitter.com/RDMirR7fST

— 𝙆𝙞𝙢 𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙖𝙚 (@minjoo_hongtae) December 3, 2024

Singapore's embassy in Seoul

Singapore's embassy to South Korea, located in Seoul has issued the following statement on their social media in response to events:

"With regard to the martial law just declared by the ROK President this evening, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul is closely monitoring the situation. So far, it does not seem to be related to any military incursions.

We urge all Singaporeans in the ROK to stay calm and monitor the news. The Embassy will provide more details as soon as we have more updates.

Singaporeans in the ROK are recommended to eRegister with MFA at eregister.mfa.gov.sg, if not already done so."

Related story

Top image via 윤석열/Facebook & 𝙆𝙞𝙢 𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙖𝙚/X