SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the country’s opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with subversive activities.

Yoon made the announcement in a televised press conference, promising to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.”

It was not immediately clear what impact Yoon’s move would have on the country’s governance and democracy. The move was met with immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “break up with the people.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”

“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is plunging into the depths of national ruin,” Yoon said during a televised address, citing South Korea’s official name.

“I will eliminate anti-state forces as soon as possible and normalize the country,” he said, urging people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.”

Yoon – whose approval rating has fallen in recent months – has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.

Yoon’s conservative People Power Party was at an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget proposal. The opposition has also attempted to file motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. Conservatives are calling this a vendetta against their criminal investigation into Lee, who is seen in opinion polls as the favorite to win the next presidential election in 2027.

Yoon also rejected calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing swift, sharp rebukes from his political rivals. Following Yoon’s announcement, the Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers.

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