Hours after its imposition, the South Korean President lifts martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on Tuesday/Wednesday night the lifting of martial law, hours after it was imposed, and accused the opposition of forming “anti-state” forces.

The declaration of martial law caused a crisis that was denounced by the opposition, and raised international concern, especially among its ally, the United States.

Following the president’s decision, the opposition-dominated National Assembly quickly voted to lift the sentences, but the army confirmed that it would not do so without a decision from the president.

Ultimately, the government approved the lifting of martial law overnight, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Withdrawal of army forces

Martial law was lifted following a televised speech in which Leon said: “A short while ago, there was a request from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency. We withdrew the army that was deployed to implement martial law operations. We will accept the request of the National Assembly and lift martial law.”

The announcement was met with joy among demonstrators who took to the streets to protest the imposition of martial law, especially at Parliament, according to Agence France-Presse correspondents.

The Parliament building was closed after the imposition of martial law, helicopters landed on its roof, and the commander of the South Korean army, General Park In-soo, took responsibility for implementing the martial law, and issued a decree banning “all political activities.”

Masked soldiers briefly entered Parliament, while hundreds outside confronted the security forces charged with protecting the building, chanting, “Stop Yoon Suk-yeol.”

South Korea, which has a democratic political system, is a major ally in Asia of the United States, which deploys thousands of soldiers on its soil.

Political crisis

The surprise announcement of martial law in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years came amid a political crisis between the president and the opposition centered around the national budget.

“In order to protect liberal South Korea from the threats posed by communist forces, and eliminate anti-state elements who rob the people of their freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon said in a televised address to the nation.

South Korea and its nuclear-armed northern neighbor have been officially at war since the end of the conflict on the Korean Peninsula in 1953.