South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, stating in a televised address that the measure was necessary to protect the country's democracy from "anti-state forces", Nikkei Asia reports.
In a brief message carried by broadcaster YTN, the embattled Yoon invoked a provision in South Korea's constitution that empowers the president to declare martial law. Article 77 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea states that martial law can be invoked "to cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety."
Yonhap News Agency reported that entry to and exit from the National Assembly had been blocked following Yoon's declaration. Both the foreign minister and finance minister convened emergency meetings following the president's address, Yonhap reported.
YTN broadcast footage that appeared to show scuffles outside of the National Assembly, as police attempted to stop people from entering the main gate.
Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon's conservative ruling People Power Party, issued a statement opposing Yoon's declaration of martial law and vowing to "stop it together with the citizens."
