South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his controversial decision to declare martial law early Wednesday, following a swift and strong response from parliament and widespread public defiance.
Yoon had declared martial law and mobilized the military during a late-night address on Tuesday, accusing opposition parties of sympathizing with North Korea and disrupting parliamentary processes.
However, within hours, 190 out of 300 members of South Korea’s National Assembly gathered to pass a resolution demanding the repeal of martial law. Protests also erupted outside the National Assembly building.
Yoon, in a nationwide televised address, accepted the parliamentary decision to lift the martial law, marking a sudden end to the crisis.
This situation began when Yoon’s administration, citing a need to protect constitutional order and counter perceived pro-North Korea groups, imposed strict measures under martial law, including banning political activities and controlling media. The declaration was met with legal challenges, with some lawmakers and opposition figures calling it unconstitutional.
Following the National Assembly’s vote, the military started withdrawing from parliament grounds. Despite initial resistance from the Defense Ministry, which insisted martial law would remain until formally lifted, the situation quickly de-escalated. The U.S. government, which had been monitoring the crisis, saw no direct impact on American forces stationed in South Korea.
The declaration of martial law was the first in South Korea since 1980. It came amid Yoon’s ongoing struggles with an opposition-controlled parliament and declining approval ratings. Political analysts noted the unexpected nature of Yoon’s extreme decision, calling it a dramatic attempt to assert power amidst growing political tensions.
