South Korean President Yoon has declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea, and engaging in anti-state activities.

South Koreans were shocked on Tuesday when President Yoon Suk Yeol said in an unannounced live TV broadcast that he was declaring martial law - then reversed course just hours later.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backed down on his declaration of martial law but the tumultuous six hours recalled the country’s dark pre-democracy period.

Rodrigo Duterte (2017): Context: Declared martial law in Mindanao during the siege of Marawi by Islamist militants. Outcome: Martial law lasted until 2019 to address terrorism concerns.