South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of “anti-state” activity.
In an unannounced address broadcast live late at night on YTN, Yoon said he had no choice but to take drastic measures to protect South Korean freedoms and the constitutional order. He asserted opposition parties have taken the parliamentary process hostage and thrown the country into crisis.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon said.
Hours later, the South Korean parliament voted 190-0 to lift the declaration. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said that lawmakers “will protect democracy and the people” and called for police and military personnel to withdraw from the Assembly’s grounds, according to the Associated Press.
The White House did not immediately condemn the action by Yoon.
“The Administration is in contact with the Republic of Korea government and is monitoring the situation closely,” a National Security Council spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“The U.S. was not notified in advance of this announcement. We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground in the ROK.”
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the U.S. is observing the situation in South Korea with “grave concern.”
“We are watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern,” Campbell said, using the acronym for Republic of Korea. “We’re seeking to engage our (South Korean) counterparts at every level, both here and in Seoul.”
He said U.S. President Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were receiving updates on the martial law declaration as it developed. He emphasized that the U.S. alliance with South Korea remains “ironclad.”
“We stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty. I also want to just underscore that we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” he added.
Yoon did not say in the address what specific measures would be taken. Yonha news agency reported that the entrance to the parliament building was being blocked.
The agency also cited the military as saying activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command, Reuters reported.
“Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in a livestream online. “The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”
