Martial Law In Korea: Helicopters Roar, Tanks Roll As Protesters, Cops Clash In Seoul

Last Updated:December 03, 2024, 22:40 IST

Tanks were seen rolling through the city of Seoul as choppers flew overhead after Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law.

Helicopters fly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea. Police officers block the entry to the Assembly. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

South Korean protesters critical of the government led by Yoon Suk Yeol staged protests against his decision to declare an “emergency martial law," on Tuesday accusing the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.

He declared martial law in a surprise late-night TV address, slamming domestic political opponents and sending shockwaves through the country.

South Korean opposition leaders gathered at the parliament.

Photos released by Reuters showed helicopters whirring in the Seoul skyline and South Korean troops securing Korean Assembly premises.

Cops were also seen attempting to stop protesters from entering the Assembly premises.

Unverified social media reports said tanks rolled into the streets of Seoul.

Yoon made the announcement during a televised briefing, vowing to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order." It wasn’t immediately clear how the steps would affect the country’s governance and democracy.

Yoon — whose approval rating has dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.

Yoon’s conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals.

South Korea’s parliament has overturned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration, but the move awaits approval from his cabinet, US broadcaster CNN said. If the cabinet rejects the vote, it could result in a political deadlock.

(with inputs from Associated Press)

Seoul, South Korea

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