Parliamentary aides in South Korea emptied fire extinguishers on armed troops entering the national assembly as protesters took to the streets.

A conservative, Mr. Yoon won the presidency in 2022 by a slim margin, promising a more confrontational stance against North Korea. He quickly became unpopular and divisive at home.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared emergency martial law during a late-night televised address on Tuesday. The President said during the address that he was halting "all political activities" and would use the time to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces" in his country.