South Korean President Shocks the World by Lifting Martial Law Amid Political Firestorm

SEOUL — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the martial law he imposed earlier this week, yielding to mounting political pressure after a dramatic night in which military forces surrounded the National Assembly and lawmakers voted to reject the order. The declaration, which lasted for roughly six hours, was reversed around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday during a Cabinet meeting, marking a significant retreat for the president in the face of bipartisan opposition.

Yoon had declared martial law late Tuesday, citing frustrations with the opposition’s control of parliament and accusing them of harboring “anti-state” sentiments, especially in regard to their alleged sympathies with North Korea. The unexpected move sparked comparisons to the authoritarian era of the 1980s, and was widely criticized by both the opposition and members of Yoon’s own conservative People Power Party. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik swiftly declared the martial law invalid, calling it a threat to democracy. The Assembly’s quick action and unity led to the immediate withdrawal of military forces from parliament grounds, further reinforcing the rejection of Yoon’s decision.

The political crisis deepened as Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung vowed that his party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly until Yoon formally rescinded the martial law. Woo praised the maturity of the military, emphasizing that the country’s citizens witnessed a peaceful resolution to the tense situation.

Despite the lifting of martial law, Yoon continued to criticize lawmakers, accusing them of obstructing key government functions and manipulating legislative processes. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about the motives behind the martial law declaration, with some alleging that military movements suggested an attempt to arrest key political figures.

As South Korea navigates this turbulent moment in its democracy, the president’s decision to reverse the martial law marks a pivotal moment in a highly charged political standoff.