South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday said he would lift martial law just hours after he imposed it, in a brief and confusing episode in which he blasted the opposition as “anti-state forces” threatening the country’s democracy.
What happened next?
Following the lawmakers’ vote, Yoon backed down. His cabinet additionally approved the motion to lift the order, Yonhap news agency reported.
“Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations,” Yoon said in a televised address around 4:30 am (1930 GMT Tuesday).
Under South Korea’s constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected.
