South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the opposition party of controlling parliament, being sympathetic to North Korea and undermining the government through subversive activities.

South Korea is focused on the security challenges of North Korea, which is allied with Russia. Pyongyang has sent troops to reinforce Moscow’s forces in the conflict with Ukraine’s armed forces.

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

“In order to protect a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and eliminate subversive elements… I hereby declare a state of emergency martial law,” Yoon said in a live-televised address.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party, has called the declaration of martial law unconstitutional.

What is martial law?

Martial law is the temporary rule of military authorities in emergencies when civilian authorities are deemed unable to operate effectively.

This usually occurs in extreme circumstances such as war, natural disasters, civil unrest or political instability.

Its enforcement can have significant legal consequences, including the suspension of normal civil rights and the imposition of military law.

How long can martial law last?

Although a short-term measure, martial law can sometimes remain in place indefinitely.

Why did South Korea declare martial law?

President Yoon did not mention any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, choosing instead to target his domestic opponents.

Since his inauguration in May 2022, he has faced persistent opposition from the National Assembly, which is controlled by rival parties, and described the declaration as essential to maintaining the country’s constitutional order. The move comes just a month after the liberal opposition, backed by the Democratic Party of Korea, accused Yoon of plotting to impose martial law as a strategy to avoid impeachment over alleged abuse of power.

When has South Korea ever declared martial law?

Since the founding of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948, martial law has been declared ten times in response to crises such as the Yeosu-Suncheon Uprising and the Korean War.

In the decades following the 1960s, martial law was often imposed amid political unrest.

Has martial law ever been used in the United States?

Andrew Jackson declared martial law in New Orleans in 1815 to secure the city during the Battle of New Orleans. He kept the city under military control even after the battle, which led to tensions with the civilian population.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, martial law was declared in Hawaii. Civilian courts were replaced by military courts and the military controlled many aspects of daily life until the area returned to civilian administration in 1944.

In 1957, Governor Orval Faubus initially declared martial law in Little Rock, Arkansas, to prevent the desegregation of Central High School. Later, President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce desegregation, override the governor’s actions, and ensure school integration.