South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law in response to his belief that the Democratic opposition party has been sympathizing with communist North Korea, per AP News.

He did not say how long the declaration would stand, but it was immediately denounced by the opposition as well as Yoon's own conservative party. Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in parliament.

"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," Yoon said during a broadcast on Tuesday. "I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he added, also asking South Koreans to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences."

Soon after the announcement, the South Korean military declared that parliament and other political gatherings would be suspended as they could cause "social confusion." Almost immediately, it was reported that the entrance to the parliament building was being blocked by military personnel.

The military also stated that striking doctors must return to work within 48 hours. A strike has been happening for months over the government's plans to increase the number of medical school students.

"Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country," opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in a livestream online. "The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly."

Jae-myung, who called the declaration "illegal and unconstitutional," narrowly lost to Yoon in South Korea's 2022 presidential election. Nevertheless, his liberal Democratic party has controlled South Korea's single-chamber National Assembly. They have repeatedly rejected Yoon's policy plans and recently tried to impeach top prosecutors in the country.

Yoon, whose approval rating as president has been low, referenced this as justification for enacting martial law.

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