Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol announced the imposition of martial law in the country, reports Yonhap news agency.

"In order to eliminate pro-North Korean forces and maintain the liberal constitutional order, I am declaring a state of martial law," the president said, according to the media.

It is reported that Yoon held an emergency meeting at his office late at night, after which he declared a threat of paralysis in the government due to attempts to impeach him.

The military command in South Korea declared a suspension of parliamentary and political party activities.

"Political party activities, political assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, and other political activities are fully prohibited," reads Decree No. 1, signed by General Pak An-su of the Republic of Korea's Army.

According to Associated Press, the president accuses opposition forces of trying to gain control of the National Assembly, expressing sympathies for North Korea, and engaging in anti-government actions that paralyze the functioning of the government.

Recently, South Korea has seen increasing opposition between the conservative ruling People Power Party (PPP), represented by Yoon Suk-yeol, and the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The latter has blocked the passage of next year’s budget bill through parliament.

The leader of the main opposition party, Lee Jae-myung, called the declaration of martial law by the president unconstitutional.

"Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law is illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-people," the agency quoted him as saying.

He also stated that this would turn South Korea from "a state governed by the prosecution into a state governed by the military" and urged to prevent this from happening.