尹锡悦表示，他别无选择，只能采取此措施，以维护自由和宪法秩序。他指责反对党绑架了国会进程，将国家推向危机边缘。“我宣布戒严，是为了保护大韩民国的自由，抵御朝鲜共产势力的威胁，铲除那些掠夺我们人民自由和幸福的卑劣亲朝反国家势力，并维护自由宪法秩序。”South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a live speech through YTN television late Tuesday night, announcing that the country is under martial law.
According to Zhitong Finance APP, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced late Tuesday night through YTN television that the country is under martial law and stated that he will eradicate "anti-state forces" within South Korea.
This unexpected move has caused a great uproar in South Korea. The country has experienced a series of authoritarian leaders throughout its history, but has been regarded as a democratic nation since the 1980s. Following the news, the exchange rates of the South Korean won against the US dollar fell significantly by over 1%. The White House in the USA has not yet made an immediate response to the event.
Yoon Suk-yeol stated that he had no choice but to take this measure to maintain freedom and constitutional order. He accused the opposition party of hijacking the congressional process and pushing the nation to the brink of crisis. "I announce martial law to protect the freedoms of the Republic of Korea, to resist the threats from North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North anti-state forces that rob our people's freedom and happiness, and to uphold the constitutional order of freedom."
However, he did not specify what measures would be taken. According to Yonhap News Agency, the entrance of the National Assembly building has already been blocked.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, warned during a live stream: "Tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers armed with guns and knives will rule this country. The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irreversibly. My fellow countrymen, please come to the National Assembly."
Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned the impeachment motions against multiple senior prosecutors proposed this week by the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, as well as its refusal of the government budget proposal. He pointed out that these actions by the Democratic Party hinder the basic functioning of the government.
On Monday this week, several South Korean ministers protested against the Democratic Party's reduction of the government budget proposal by over 4 trillion won last week. Yoon Suk-yeol believes that this action undermines the core operational capacity of government administration.