South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared "emergency martial law," pledging to eliminate what he described as "anti-state" and "pro-North Korean forces" within the country. The unexpected move triggered chaos in Seoul, with protestors clashing with police outside the Parliament as tensions soared.

In response to the declaration, South Korea’s National Assembly passed a resolution urging the immediate lifting of martial law. The resolution, introduced by Speaker Woo Won-sik, garnered unanimous support from the 190 members present out of the 300-member assembly. While the resolution holds significant political weight, lifting martial law requires a majority vote in Parliament. The opposition Democratic Party, which currently holds the majority, is expected to push for such a move.

President Yoon’s martial law declaration marks the first such measure in South Korea since 1980. Notably, he did not cite any imminent threat from North Korea, instead targeting domestic political opponents as the basis for his decision. Critics argue this move underscores the ongoing struggles between Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Democratic Party, which have clashed repeatedly over legislative issues.

Tensions between the two parties have escalated in recent weeks, particularly over next year’s budget proposal. The opposition has also criticized Yoon for refusing calls for an independent investigation into alleged scandals involving his wife and senior officials.

The leader of the Democratic Party condemned the imposition of martial law, calling on all its members to assemble in Parliament to protest the move. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has faced significant challenges in advancing his government’s agenda due to the opposition’s numerical dominance in Parliament.

The duration of the martial law remains uncertain, though parliamentary procedures allow for it to be rescinded following a majority vote. As political tensions rise, South Korea finds itself in a precarious situation, with the potential for further unrest looming.