South Korea martial law: President Yoon Suk Yeol revokes declaration after lawmakers clash with military

Just hours after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law over the “threat of North Korean communist forces”, the leader has issued an astounding reversal, saying he will revoke his shock decision.

Mr Yoon made the ruling in an emergency late-night television broadcast, the president accused the opposition of sympathising with North Korea and risking the country’s security.

“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces,” Mr Yoon said.

The military and police descended as parliamentary activity was banned.

However, a defiant main opposition, the Democratic Party, raced to the republic’s National Assembly Building in Seoul to vote on the president’s decision.

Lawmakers were then blocked from entering the building as hundreds of protesters gathered outside and helicopters hovered overhead.

Protesters clashed with military and police, attempting to assist lawmakers trying to gain access to the building.

As parliamentarians desperately attempted to enter, one was seen climbing a wall helped by protesters.

The military attempted to block lawmakers from proceeding with parliamentary activity, with one member using a fire extinguisher to hold forces off.

A total of 190 of the republic’s 300 lawmakers managed to gain access to the building, voting to have martial law revoked.

After the parliament’s 190-0 vote to lift the declaration, the National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared that MPs “will protect democracy with the people”.

Mr Woo called for police and military personnel to withdraw from the Assembly’s grounds.

Live television footage showed troops apparently tasked with imposing martial law briefly attempting to enter the assembly building, and parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers.

Crowds of people outside parliament erupted in applause and cheers as MPs voted to reject martial law.

Chants of “Withdraw emergency martial law“ and “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” echoed outside the building.

Initially the military declared it would listen to the president and not the parliament.

Protesters have been chanting outside the National Assembly, calling for the doors to be opened so they can support parliament and oppose the president’s ruling.

However, in a stunning backflip, Mr Yoon announced in a second late-night television address that he would listen to the parliament and revoke his shock martial law declaration.

Mr Yoon said he had attempted to convene the sufficient amount of lawmakers to official remove martial law, but was unable to due to the early morning time.

Moments later, the 190 lawmakers who had clashed with military to gain access to the National Assembly and blockaded themselves within the building, officially had the declaration removed with the presidents official compliance.

Locals celebrated as the shock martial law declaration was removed, however, unrest grows over his control of the country.

Some have called for his imprisonment, others, his immediate resignation from the presidency.

It was the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea.

- With Reuters

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