At his confirmation hearing three months ago, South Korea's defence minister Kim Yong-hyun rejected accusations from the opposition that he wanted to impose martial law. It was, the conservative hardliner said,

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 3 declared martial law in a televised announcement, accusing the opposition of “antistate” activities.

South Korea ’s hard-line conservative president has declared martial law in a bid to “eliminate anti-state forces”—causing chaos outside parliament as lawmakers forced entry to block the motion. In a move more suited to his infamous adversary to the north,

Parliamentary aides in South Korea emptied fire extinguishers on armed troops entering the national assembly as protesters took to the streets.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, struggling amid low approval ratings, accused the opposition-held parliament of blocking government actions.