President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, citing ‘anti-state’ forces, but the measure was swiftly overturned by parliament.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol lifted martial law following a parliamentary vote, amid his accusations of “anti-state” forces and political turmoil. Photo: ReutersSouth Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s government early on Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama.
Yoon said his government withdrew military personnel following a bipartisan parliamentary vote that rejected martial law. The measure was formally lifted around 4.30am during a cabinet meeting.
The president had declared martial law late on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces. Yoon is struggling against an opposition that controls the country’s parliament and that he accuses of sympathising with communist North Korea.
Less than three hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared that the martial law was “invalid” and that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people”.
In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours.
A crowd of hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly building, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment.
Opposition parties announced plans on Wednesday to introduce a bill to begin impeachment proceedings, accusing Yoon of disrupting the constitutional order.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), along with other opposition factions, asserted that Yoon’s actions amounted to what they described as a “failed coup”.
Under South Korean law, rebellion carries the possibility of a death sentence or life imprisonment.
Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building.
Following Yoon’s martial law declaration, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament.
Soon after the declaration, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions”.
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All 190 lawmakers who took part in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. Television footage showed soldiers who had been stationed at parliament leaving the site after the vote.
Hours earlier, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building.
Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin”. He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order”.
Political Science Professor Cho Jin-man of Duksung Women’s University said martial law cannot be justified under any circumstances, except in the event of an attack from North Korea.
Abhishek Sharma, a research assistant at the Observer Research Foundation, noted that the imposition of martial law highlights two critical issues.
“First, there is a breakdown in his relationship with the ruling party, the PPP. This is largely due to pressure from the party leader about Yoon’s failure to act on corruption charges against the first lady.
“Second, Yoon feels frustrated because he cannot govern effectively after losing significant support in the National Assembly elections held in April.”
Harsh Pant, an international-relations professor at King’s College London, called the situation shocking. “For a country like South Korea to declare an emergency is quite extraordinary, as it is considered a close ally of the US,” he said.
“It is a coup in some way, but how far the West will be willing to go remains to be seen because South Korea is a very important player in the Indo-Pacific vis-a-vis the West.”
In Washington, the White House said the US was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul.
The Chinese embassy in South Korea reminded Chinese citizens to stay calm, be aware of political changes, enhance safety, limit outings, exercise caution when expressing political views, and follow South Korean regulations.
Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun, the chairman of Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Council, said that about 400 Hongkongers are currently in South Korea, spread across more than 10 groups, and that there have been no reported issues or abnormalities.
Hsu added that the council will closely monitor the situation and gather more information from the relevant government authorities.
Yoon’s party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill.
The opposition has also attempted to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favourite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls.
During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens”, but he did not elaborate.
He has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals.
His declaration of martial law was the first since the country’s democratisation in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee.