SEOUL: The move, announced today, follows escalating tensions between the president and the opposition-controlled National Assembly since his inauguration in May 2022. Yoon stressed that martial law is a necessary step to protect the country’s constitutional order, although the potential impact on governance and democracy remains uncertain.

The declaration comes just one month after the Democratic Party of Korea, led by opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, accused Yoon of attempting to circumvent impeachment proceedings over alleged abuse of power. Lee warned that the president’s actions could lead to “a perfect dictatorship,” drawing parallels to past abuses of martial law in South Korea’s history.

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