Amid opposition from members of parliament, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the sudden imposition of martial law late at night but retracted it within hours. This was reported by AFP, BBC, and Al Jazeera on Wednesday, December 4.
According to Al Jazeera, President Yoon stated that martial law would be repealed following a parliamentary resolution. After the vote in parliament, he emphasized that he would respect the stance of the legislature. The final decision to withdraw martial law would be confirmed in a cabinet meeting.
President Yoon backtracked after lawmakers in South Korea’s parliament opposed his unexpected declaration of martial law and voted against it. The abrupt move had shocked South Korea’s closest allies worldwide.
Earlier, the National Assembly building was sealed off, and soldiers briefly entered its premises. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside, confronting security forces.
At 4:30 AM local time on Wednesday, President Yoon addressed the nation on television, stating, “An appeal has been made from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military deployed to enforce martial law.”
He added, “We will accept the request of the National Assembly and repeal martial law through a cabinet meeting.”
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that President Yoon’s cabinet had approved the proposal to withdraw the martial law order.
After the president’s announcement, protesters gathered outside the parliament erupted in celebration. Braving freezing temperatures, they had been protesting overnight against the order. Waving banners and South Korean flags, the demonstrators chanted slogans demanding President Yoon’s arrest.
In his televised address, President Yoon said, “I have informed the military of my decision to withdraw martial law following the National Assembly’s demand.” He further noted that his cabinet was deliberating on lifting martial law, with the final decision to be made in a forthcoming meeting.