South Korean President Yoon Announces Martial Law in Unexpected Decision

Seol (Eurotoday) – In a late-night, unannounced televised address, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, saying he would eliminate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.”

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described martial law as a critical measure to eradicate the “shameless blank” rel=”noopener”>pro-North anti-state forces.” He explained the decision as essential to protect the freedoms and safety of the people, ensure the country’s sustainability, and pass on a stable nation to future generations. The action comes as Yoon’s People Power Party and the leading opposition Democratic Party continue to clash over next year’s budget bill.

For the first time ever, martial law had been declared in South Korea since the 1979 military coup d’état after the killing of the then South Korean dictator Park Chung-hee, and the first since democratization in 1987. This is the 17th martial declaration since the constitution of the government in 1948. 

As reported by South Korea’s YTN TV, Yoon Suk Yeol blamed the opposition for diverting the nation into a “drug haven” and creating a state of confusion detrimental to public safety and livelihood. He also expressed the Democratic Party was endeavoring to overthrow the liberal democratic system, declaring,

“The National Assembly has become a monster undermining liberal democracy, and the nation is in a precarious state, teetering on the edge of collapse.”

How is the opposition responding to Yoon’s martial law?

On the other hand, South Korea’s major opposition, the Democratic Party, has called on all its legislators to gather at the National Assembly, the country’s legislative body. Its chief, Lee Jae-myung, has called on the public to assemble at the assembly. He said:

“Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”

Moreover, the parliament speaker is travelling to parliament and preparing to convene a session. However, it is reported that the entrance to parliament is barred and lawmakers are unable to enter. According to South Korean law, the administration must lift martial law if the majority of the National Assembly requests a vote. The same law also forbids martial law commands from stopping lawmakers.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Samsung Wage Dispute Escalates, Shocking South Korea’s Tech Industry Ahead of Seoul 2026

Samsung Wage Dispute Escalates, Shocking South Korea’s Tech Industry Ahead of Seoul 2026

SEOUL, South Korea  – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — South Korea tech industry leaders are closely monitoring Samsung Electronics after the company’s labor union confirmed plans to enter mediation talks over a growing wage dispute. The negotiations are attracting worldwide attention because Samsung remains one of the most influential semiconductor and electronics manufacturers in the global e

Read More

What Beijing Learned About the US from the Iran War

What Beijing Learned About the US from the Iran War

“They don’t need to use drones to confuse air defense radars and overwhelm systems in the same way,” she said. “So there would be no real preservation of resources, at least in the early stages of a potential conflict with the U.S.”
Beijing faces its own challenges. China has not engaged in war since its 1979 invasion of Vietnam and is undergoing a major military purge. This led to the sentencing

Read More

Suspected Hantavirus Case Triggers Health Alert on Remote Island

Suspected Hantavirus Case Triggers Health Alert on Remote Island

Remote Island — May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper  — A New hantavirus case suspected in a remote island community has triggered an expanded public health response as authorities continue emergency monitoring and contact tracing operations linked to the possible infection.
Health officials confirmed that a patient showing symptoms associated with hantavirus was transferred for medical evaluation af

Read More

Nigel Farage Must Increase Efficiency by 22 Times to Win Next General Election

Nigel Farage Must Increase Efficiency by 22 Times to Win Next General Election

While the U.K. doesn’t elect a president, many voters consider who they want at No. 10 Downing Street when making their decisions. Farage, however, hasn’t proved overwhelmingly popular in this regard.
In YouGov’s latest survey on May 4-5, the Reform UK leader’s net favorability score was -39 percent, slightly better than Starmer’s -47 percent. Among the leaders and potentia

Read More

EU Intensifies Digital Markets Act Pressure on Google with Expanded Brussels Investigation 2026

EU Intensifies Digital Markets Act Pressure on Google with Expanded Brussels Investigation 2026

BRUSSELS, Belgium – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday — Digital Markets Act enforcement continued expanding across Europe this week as the European Commission confirmed additional regulatory discussions involving major technology companies, including Google, amid growing pressure on digital platforms operating within the European Union.
European officials said regulators are continuing to review compliance

Read More

UK Elections 2026: 5 Key Takeaways from Labour’s Defeat

UK Elections 2026: 5 Key Takeaways from Labour’s Defeat

4. Some Calls for Starmer’s Resignation, But No Major Movement Yet
By Friday evening, over 10 Labour MPs had either demanded Starmer’s resignation or insisted on his departure unless the government undergoes urgent reforms.
Louise Haigh, co-chair of the Tribune caucus, was the first to suggest Starmer’s exit.
This sentiment was expressed with the need for “significant and urgent change,” a

Read More

Major Global Investment Drives Argentina’s Copper Mining Expansion in 2026

Major Global Investment Drives Argentina’s Copper Mining Expansion in 2026

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday — Argentina copper mining projects are attracting growing international attention as major mining companies and investors continue expanding their focus on critical minerals needed for global electrification, renewable energy systems, and advanced technology infrastructure.
Industry analysts say Argentina is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s m

Read More

Breaking The Walls to Continue in 2026 with International Hip Hop Event in L’Aquila, Italy

Breaking The Walls to Continue in 2026 with International Hip Hop Event in L’Aquila, Italy

Check The Style 2025 in L’Aquila, Italy

Breaking The Walls’ DMT workshop targeting Gen Z

Jacopo Scotti, organizer of Check The Style

The EU-funded project combining breaking and mental health coaching will continue in 2026 with the mission to support young people’s well-being.
L’AQUILA, ITALY, April 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — In today’s era where young Europeans are challenged b

Read More

Russia’s Victory Day is Putin’s Biggest Liability

Russia’s Victory Day is Putin’s Biggest Liability

Ceasefire Duel
In a last effort to safeguard its key national holiday, Russia’s defense ministry declared a two-day ceasefire starting May 8.
Ukraine responded with its own open-ended ceasefire two days prior, challenging Russia’s actual commitment to peace. However, after Moscow launched another series of deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities, Zelenskyy warned of a “symmetrical response.

Read More

The Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas Awards Observer Status to the Miskito Nation

The Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas Awards Observer Status to the Miskito Nation

In October of 2025, the Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas Ministry of International Affairs began negotiations with the Miskito Nation. Under the guidance of the Federations Minister of International Affairs, Principal Chief Dr. Ronald Yonaguska Holloway, Chief Gallo of the Lenca Nation and the Federations Ambassador to the United Nations and Council of Nimmuog’s Deputy First Chai

Read More