South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, accusing the country's opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.

 Yoon made the announcement during a televised briefing, vowing to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order." He declared the step as critical in defending the country's constitutional order.

 It wasn't immediately clear how the steps would affect the country's governance and democracy. "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.

It is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea. 

The surprise move sent shockwaves through the country, which had a series of authoritarian leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. 

The Korean won was down sharply against the U.S. dollar. The Biden administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is monitoring the situation closely, a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday.

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