South Korea – Martial Law: Presidential ‘fires’ for ‘anti-state activities’ – How the opposition reacts –

Martial law was declared on Tuesday afternoon in South Korea. In his speech, the president Yoon Suk-geolcited problems in the country’s governance from actions by the opposition, which he also accused of colluding with North Korea.

“I declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threats of the communist forces of North Korea, to immediately eliminate the rogue anti-state forces working for Pyongyang and who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order”he said among other things.

Read also: South Korea: The president declared martial law

“Through martial law, we will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is collapsing“, he added.

Yun, who has seen his approval rating plummet in recent months, has struggled to advance his agenda in an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.

The latest impasse that triggered the rapid developments with martial law is related to the inability to advance the budget. The conservative party «People Power» of Yun has been trapped by the opposition Democratic Partywhile the demonstrations have been increasing lately.

The first reactions from the opposition

Yonhap news agency reports that the leader of South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, said the declaration of martial law is unconstitutional.

Yonhap also reports that Han Dong-hun, head of the ruling party – which includes President Yoon Suk-yeol – has also vowed to block the declaration of martial law, calling it “wrong.”

“Yun sees his influence waning”

“Yun is a president who sees his influence ‘breathing’ after the last election, where the opposition won a landslide victory.

He was unable to pass the laws he wanted, instead he was reduced to desperately vetoing every bill passed by the opposition. Yun’s name is embroiled in various scandals, mainly surrounding his wife, who is accused of corruption. The opposition is trying to launch a special investigation against the couple.

This week, the opposition cut the draft budgets submitted by the government and the ruling party. At the same time, the opposition moved to impeach members of the cabinet, mainly the head of the government audit service, because they did not investigate the allegations against the president’s wife. says the BBC analysis.