South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued an emergency statement on Tuesday, declaring martial law to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the free constitutional order."
"I declare a state of emergency martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threats of the North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the shameless pro-North, anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to safeguard the constitutional order of freedom," Yoon said in a televised address to his nation. He also promised to "rebuild and defend" South Korea, which he said is "falling into the abyss of national ruin."
Yoon also accused his country's opposition parties of controlling the parliament and said they "paralyzed" the government administration.
