South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday as he accused the country's main opposition party of being overly sympathetic to North Korea and other "anti-state" activities.

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.

The martial law declaration by Yoon Suk Yeol has deepened a political crisis already inflamed by allegations against First Lady Kim Keon Hee.