South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing opposition lawmakers of undermining the state and threatening the stability of the nation’s governance. This move comes amid a fierce parliamentary conflict over the budget bill for the next fiscal year. The opposition Democratic Party has slashed key portions of the budget, including funds for national security, law enforcement, and Yoon's office, in a dispute that has paralyzed the legislative process.

In a live televised address, Yoon claimed that the opposition was acting as "anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime." He argued that their actions endangered the country’s security and public safety, particularly in relation to North Korea's threats and internal drug crime issues. Yoon further stated that the opposition was obstructing the government’s ability to function and jeopardizing the nation’s liberal democracy.

As part of the emergency measures, military units have been placed on heightened alert, and the National Assembly has been closed off, with MPs barred from entering. This drastic step marks an escalation in the political tensions that have dominated South Korea’s political scene, especially as Yoon's approval rating has dropped sharply due to economic concerns and personal controversies.