Official announcements from the South Korean government or verified news outlets

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law, Blocks All Funds to National Assembly Amid North Korea Threats

Jan 4, 2025, 05:41 AM

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law amid rising tensions with North Korea and domestic unrest. This declaration has resulted in a chaotic standoff at the National Assembly, where opposition lawmakers have rejected the move. Following the declaration, Yoon instructed Economy Minister Choi Sang-mok to completely block all funds to the National Assembly, indicating a severe restriction on legislative operations. Despite pushback from cabinet members, Yoon insisted on proceeding with the declaration, citing the need for urgent measures to address what he described as the National Assembly's misconduct. He emphasized the necessity of extraordinary measures to ensure a stable future for the country, stating, “This is not a proper country. We need to correct this.”