Tue Dec 03 15:13:03 UTC 2024: ## South Korean President Declares Martial Law, Accusing Opposition of Anti-State Activities

**Seoul, South Korea** – In a stunning move, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition Democratic Party of attempting to overthrow the government. The announcement, made in a televised address, followed a protracted budget dispute between the ruling People Power Party and the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

President Yoon cited the opposition’s significant cuts to the proposed national budget – approximately $2.8 billion – as evidence of their intent to destabilize the country. He claimed these cuts, impacting key areas such as law enforcement and national security, would effectively cripple the government’s ability to function and create a “drug haven” and public safety crisis.

The opposition, holding a majority in parliament, had slashed funds allocated to the president’s office, the prosecution, police, and the state audit agency. President Yoon characterized the National Assembly as a “haven for criminals” and a tool of “legislative dictatorship.”

The declaration of martial law has resulted in the immediate closure of the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers from entering the building. All South Korean military units have been placed on high alert. President Yoon asserted that martial law would not affect the country’s foreign policy and that its purpose is to eliminate “anti-state forces” and restore normalcy.

This drastic action comes amid plummeting approval ratings for President Yoon, currently at 19%, largely attributed to economic dissatisfaction and controversies surrounding his wife. The move has been widely seen as an unprecedented power grab in response to political deadlock. The international community is closely watching the unfolding situation in South Korea, a key US ally in the region, as the implications of this martial law declaration remain unclear.

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