South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted martial law early Wednesday, just hours after imposing it, following a dramatic nighttime confrontation that saw troops surrounding parliament and lawmakers voting unanimously to reject military rule.
The declaration was formally rescinded at 4:30 a.m. during an emergency Cabinet meeting, after being in effect for approximately six hours, according to the Associated Press. The retreat came as troops and police were seen withdrawing from parliament grounds following a bipartisan vote to overrule the president's decree.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik had swiftly declared the martial law "invalid" and promised that lawmakers would "protect democracy with the people." All 190 lawmakers present voted to lift the extraordinary measures.
The president's unprecedented move, reminiscent of the country's authoritarian era of the 1980s, drew immediate condemnation from both the opposition and the leader of his own conservative party. The declaration allowed the military to restrict press freedom, assembly rights, and judicial powers.
Lee Jae-myung, who heads the liberal Democratic Party holding the majority in the 300-seat parliament, led his party's lawmakers in occupying the Assembly's main hall until the order was formally lifted.
In Washington, the White House expressed serious concern over the developments in Seoul. A National Security Council spokesperson told the Associated Press that President Joe Biden's administration had not been notified in advance and was in contact with South Korean officials. At the Pentagon, spokesman Maj Gen Pat Ryder said the situation did not affect the more than 27,000 US service members stationed in South Korea.
Protesters gathered outside parliament, with some engaging in scuffles with troops. One demonstrator attempted to grab a soldier's rifle while shouting "Aren't you embarrassed?" At least one window was broken as troops tried to enter the Assembly building, though no major injuries or property damage were reported.
While announcing the lifting of martial law, Yoon continued criticizing parliament, accusing lawmakers of "unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state."
The declaration marked South Korea's first implementation of martial law since its democratization in 1987. The country's previous martial law period occurred in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee.
