South Korean president declares emergency martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has imposed emergency martial law, claiming that the opposition, presumably sympathetic toward the North, has been preparing a “rebellion.”

In a televised address on Tuesday, the head of state alleged that the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, was paralyzing the government with “anti-state activities.”

“The martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom,” Yoon insisted, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

According to the media outlet, the country’s Defense Ministry has summoned senior military commanders for a meeting, putting the army on full alert.