SEOUL: In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced the lifting of martial law, which had been imposed just hours earlier, following intense public backlash.
The move, which was initially framed by President Yoon as a direct response to “religious state forces,” sparked immediate and widespread opposition across the nation.
The backlash culminated in an unprecedented parliamentary vote, which saw lawmakers overwhelmingly reject the decision. Faced with this mounting pressure, the president was compelled to reverse his controversial stance, marking a significant political victory for the country’s democratic institutions.
Under martial law, troops had temporarily sealed the parliament building by encircling the National Assembly, and the decision was deemed necessary to protect the country from external threats, particularly North Korea and domestic political forces.
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In a late-night broadcast address, President Yoon called the decision essential to protecting South Korea’s liberal democracy, which he linked to “legislative authoritarian rule” and possible cooperation with North Korea’s communism.
This was South Korea’s first martial law in 40 years, which was severely criticized. On Wednesday morning, the National Assembly rejected the order in an emergency session. The resolution to abolish martial law was unanimously passed by all the 190 members present.
Yun’s decision to impose martial law was linked to rising tensions with the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The main controversy was over a proposal for a national budget, in which the opposition Democratic Party reduced a large portion of the government’s budget, including cuts to the president’s office and key public institutions.
After the imposition of martial law, there was global concern. South Korea’s main ally, the United States, expressed deep concern and urged the country to stick to democratic principles. Meanwhile, China, a close ally of North Korea, had instructed its citizens to be cautious in South Korea.
At 4:30 a.m., President Yoon announced the acceptance of the parliament vote and said he accepted the decision and would withdraw martial law. “We will accept the request of the National Assembly and abolish martial law through a cabinet meeting,” he said in a televised address. Later, the cabinet approved the resolution, after which the martial law was abolished within just six hours.
Hundreds of protesters outside parliament celebrated after the decision was rolled back. Protesters, who stood outside despite freezing temperatures, waved South Korean flags and chanted slogans against President Yoon Suk Yeol.
