Mere hours after declaring martial law in the country, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly announced its reversal.
“A moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the soldiers who were deployed for martial law. We will accept the request of the National Assembly and abolish martial law at a government meeting,” Yoon Suk Yeol said in his television address to the nation.
The government then announced the reversal of martial law shortly after.
“Yonhap” also reports that the South Korean army has disbanded its martial law commands.
The South Korean President declared martial law on Tuesday. He explained this decision by saying it is necessary to defend the country from “communist powers”.
This unexpected decision came in a time when Yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party party and their opponent – Democratic Party – continue going at each over the next year’s budget.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision was met with condemnation from both the Democratic Party and his own People Power Party.
The parliament has voted in favour of the resolution to immediately lift martial law. The resolution was passed with 190 votes out of 300. All those present voted in favour of this resolution. The parliament in South Korea has the authority to lift martial law.
The South Korean army, meanwhile, has announced that they will maintain martial law until it is lifted by the President, despite the parliament’s announcement, as reported by the national media.
The troops that were in the parliament’s building have since left it. Members of the parliament, on the other hand, have announced they will remain in the building if any attempts are made to dissolve the parliament.
Police and protesters remain near the parliament.