dpa
Seoul
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday.
In a speech broadcast live on television he accused the country’s opposition of sympathizing with North Korea.
The declared state of emergency aims to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom,” said Yoon. According to the news agency Yonhap, access to the unicameral parliament, the National Assembly in Seoul, is currently blocked.
Additionally, all political activities, including protests and party actions, are banned.
Martial law also restricts the activities of media outlets and publishers. Details of the allegations made by Yoon were not initially known.
Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won Shik urged the military and police to remain calm.
The National Assembly later called for the lifting of the martial law imposed by Yoon after attending members voted in favour for a corresponding resolution, according to South Korean broadcasters.
Yoon must lift the state of emergency in accordance with the constitution if the parliament votes in favour by a majority, the reports said.
The opposition had earlier sharply criticized the measures.
Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung described the declaration of martial law as “unconstitutional” and unfounded, according to a Yonhap report. Tanks and soldiers with rifles would soon control the country, Lee further stated, according to Yonhap.
The leader of the ruling party, Han Dong Hoon, described the declaration of martial law as “wrong”.
