One Seoul resident said the president's shock announcement on Tuesday felt like "a coup d'état".

"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country’s parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with North Korea.

South Korea’s opposition party members gather at the country's parliament building on Dec. 4 after the president declared martial law.

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