South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in a surprise late-night TV address, accusing the opposition Democratic Party of anti-state tendencies and sympathizing with North Korea. 

The move follows tensions over the rejection of a government budget proposal, and criticisms of scandals involving Yoon and his administration. 

In the announcement Yoon stated the need to protect South Korea’s democracy from “pro-North Korean forces” and safeguard the constitutional order.

But what the announcement means in practice remains unclear.

The Democratic Party, which strongly opposes Yoon’s policies, convened an emergency meeting in response.