The South Korean parliament has voted to lift the state of martial law imposed earlier by President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a dramatic turn of events in the country’s deepening political crisis. The decision was announced by the parliamentary speaker, marking a potential shift in the escalating standoff between the government and lawmakers.
According to Sputnik News, President Yoon declared emergency martial law during a live televised address, citing threats to national stability and claiming attempts to impeach him were endangering the country. The announcement followed an emergency overnight meeting at the presidential office, during which Yoon warned of a looming paralysis of state power.
The martial law commander, General Park An-su, promptly suspended the operations of the National Assembly, local legislative bodies, and political parties. Decree No. 1 of the Martial Law Command explicitly prohibited political activities, gatherings, demonstrations, and rallies. General Park also announced sweeping controls over media outlets nationwide, signaling a clampdown on press freedoms.
Footage from the scene, reported by Yonhap News Agency, showed South Korean armed forces deploying to the parliament building, where chaos unfolded. The National Assembly’s main entrance was blocked, barricades were erected, and access to the complex was strictly regulated. Some legislators were reportedly barred from entering, while large crowds, numbering over 100, gathered in protest outside the parliament building. A bus marked “Land Forces of the Republic of Korea” was prominently stationed near one of the entrances.
The South Korean Defense Ministry issued directives for increased combat readiness across all branches of the military, calling on reserve forces to stand by. The ministry justified the measures, claiming they were targeting “anti-state forces.”
The martial law decision sparked immediate backlash, raising concerns over democratic governance in South Korea. However, the parliamentary vote to revoke the decree could mark the beginning of a resolution to the crisis, although the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty.
This report includes information from Sputnik News and Yonhap News Agency.
