SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the martial law he had imposed just hours earlier on Wednesday, responding to mounting political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded the parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.
The president had declared martial law late Tuesday, citing frustration with the opposition and vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces. Yoon, who faced growing calls for impeachment, accused his parliamentary opponents of sympathizing with communist North Korea. The move triggered a political standoff, with military and police forces seen leaving the grounds of parliament following a swift bipartisan vote to overrule the president's decree.
By 4:30 a.m., during a Cabinet meeting, the martial law declaration was formally lifted. The National Assembly had quickly moved into action after the law was imposed, with Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring the martial law “invalid” and pledging that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.”
People were seen blocking a military vehicle as it tried to leave an area near South Korea's parliament late Tuesday. Protesters gathered in front of the Parliament building after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, vowing to eliminate "anti-state" forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country's parliament and that he accused of sympathizing with communist North Korea.
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