Yoon’s government has been severely weekend since April when the opposition won a landslide in the country’s general election.
He has also been mired in several corruption scandals – including one involving the First Lady accepting a Dior bag, and another around stock manipulation.
This week, the opposition proposed slashing budgets for Yoon’s government, which is was not able to veto.
The opposition has also moved to impeach cabinet members and prosecutors, including the head of the government’s audit agency for failing to investigate the First Lady.
When he announced his shock decision to impose military rule, President Yoon initially blamed North Korea, but then hit out at the opposition, accusing them of using their majority to paralyse his government’s agenda.
Yoon’s move also caused consternation abroad. A spokesperson from the US State Department said its alliance with South Korea remained “iron-clad”.
But they added: “We are continuing to watch with grave concern, and we will continue to follow developments on the ground very closely.”
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said its government was “monitoring the situation closely”.