Martial Law Declared in South Korea; Special Forces Enter Parliament

Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, declared martial law in the country on Tuesday evening, December 4. In a televised speech, the President stated his intention to eliminate the brazen pro-North Korean and anti-South Korean forces. Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing a White House spokesperson, that the Biden administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is closely monitoring the situation. This is the first time since the 1980s that martial law has been declared in South Korea. Reports indicate that special forces have entered the South Korean parliament premises and are attempting to enter the main chamber. Following the declaration of martial law, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the military has banned all parliamentary and political party activities and placed media and publishers under control. According to Reuters, the South Korean President did not mention any specific threat from North Korea, focusing instead on his political opponents in the country. This surprising action by the South Korean President was accompanied by a financial shock, leading to a decrease in the exchange rate of the South Korean won against the US dollar. In this context, a central bank official stated that the institution is preparing measures to stabilize the market if necessary. Yoon, at the time of declaring martial law, said he had no choice but to resort to such action to protect the 'free and constitutional order.' He emphasized that opposition parties have 'taken the parliamentary process hostage to create a crisis in the country.' He also cited reasons for declaring martial law as 'protecting the free Republic of Korea against the threat of North Korean communist forces, rooting out the detestable anti-government forces pro-North Korea that plunder our people's freedom and happiness, and protecting the free constitutional order.' Although Yoon did not specify who these anti-government forces pro-North Korea are this time, he had previously described such forces as an obstacle to implementing his plans and undermining the country. This news is ongoing. Source: Reuters.