People who violate the decree can be arrested or searched without a warrant, Yonhap added.
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Citing the same document, Reuters reported that "strikes, work stoppages and demonstrations that incite social chaos" are also banned. This includes doctors who participated in a walkout; the decree ordered them to return to work within 48 hours.
Shortly after the president's speech, members of South Korea's parliament appeared to clash with authorities outside the National Assembly building as lawmakers tried to block the introduction of martial law.
Television footage showed troops trying to enter the main hall of the National Assembly in Seoul. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, had earlier ordered his lawmakers to go to the National Assembly. The president's statement surprised residents and lawmakers. The announcement sent shockwaves across the country. Seoul residents rushed to reunite with loved ones after martial law was declared across South Korea, according to a CNN crew on the ground.
"Walking down the street, there are people running to their families' homes to be with them, to understand what they're doing, to be with their loved ones in this unprecedented time in so many of our memories," Mike Valerio said from Seoul.
Law enforcement is telling people they can be arrested without a warrant, Valerio added.
"There are a lot of people all over (Seoul) who are stunned and trying to understand how an unpopular president could make this decision, what happens next and what it means for democracy here in South Korea." The leader of Yoon's political party, known as the People's Power Party, condemned the move. Han Dong-hoon, who previously served as the president's justice minister, said the declaration was "wrong" and that he would "block" it with rival lawmakers, according to Yonhap.
For his part, Lee — leader of the opposition Democratic Party — said the martial law declaration was "unconstitutional," calling it an "anti-people" measure, Yonhap reported.
"President Yoon declared martial law without reason," Lee said. "Tanks, armored vehicles and soldiers armed with rifles and swords will soon control the country." Who is South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol? Yoon, a member of the conservative People's Power Party, has been South Korea's president since 2022.
He won the election by a narrow margin, beating his rival Lee by less than a percentage point.
Yoon was a newcomer to politics, having spent the previous 27 years of his career as a prosecutor. Since taking office - succeeding liberal President Moon Jae-in - he has faced a range of challenges, from the ongoing threat from North Korea to rising tensions between South Korea's key partners, the United States and China - as well as a declining birth rate.
Yoon has long taken a tough stance on North Korea, a shift from his predecessor, Moon, who favored dialogue and peaceful reconciliation. Yoon has criticized the approach, calling it "servile."
Yoon has vowed to strengthen South Korea's military, even hinting that he would launch a preemptive strike if he sees signs of an offensive against Seoul.
But he has faced political battles at home, opposing the Democratic Party, which has repeatedly fired ministers and derailed the government's budget plans.
Yoon has seen his popularity plummet since taking office — due to a series of scandals and controversies that have even prompted hundreds of thousands of people to call for his impeachment.
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