South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday and accused the opposition of “subversive” activities.

In an unannounced address broadcast live on YTN late last night, Yoon said he had no choice but to take drastic measures to protect South Korea’s freedoms and constitutional order. He claimed that opposition parties had taken the parliamentary process hostage and plunged 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 subversive forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free Constitution.” “By order,” Yoon said.

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

He did not say in the speech what specific measures would be taken. According to Reuters, the entrance to the parliament building was blocked, the Yonha news agency reported.

“Tanks, armored personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in a live stream online. “The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”

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People watch a television screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s televised press conference at a bus station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The liberal Democratic Party has controlled South Korea’s unicameral National Assembly since Yoon, a former top prosecutor, took office in 2022. The opposition has repeatedly thwarted Yoon’s agenda and the president has low approval ratings.

In his speech, Yoon cited the Democratic Party’s actions as justification for martial law, including this week’s attempt to indict some of the country’s top prosecutors and the National Assembly’s rejection of Yoon’s proposed budget.

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South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung (center) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on November 15, 2024. (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Democratic lawmakers had decided to cut the Yoon government’s budget proposal by more than 4 trillion won. Yoon said the budget cuts would undermine the essential functioning of the government administration.

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Yoon suffered a crushing political defeat earlier this year as South Korean voters expanded the Democratic Party’s majority in parliament. A South Korean political analyst told the Associated Press that the election results had made Yoon a “dead duck” and that even control of his own party was at risk after the losses.

The South Korean president has also been hit by a scandal involving his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee. She was allegedly involved in a stock price manipulation scheme and the release of spy camera footage showed her accepting a luxury bag from a Korean-American pastor, the AP reported.

This is breaking news. Check back for updates.

Reuters contributed to this report.