12 hours that shook South Korea: Martial law imposed, overturned and lifted. A timeline

South Korea witnessed a dramatic political upheaval late Tuesday night as the National Assembly decisively overturned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.

A move that sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country. In an emergency late-night session, 190 of 300 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties unanimously voted to reject the martial law, effectively invalidating it just hours after Yoon announced the decree.

The martial law, announced in a surprise address, marked the first such declaration in South Korea since 1980. President Yoon justified the decision as necessary to eliminate “anti-state” and “pro-North Korean forces”.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside South Korea’s National Assembly, attempting to breach the Parliament in opposition to the imposition of martial law. Clashes erupted between security forces and demonstrators near the Assembly in Seoul.

A fleet of tanks, armoured vehicles, and armed members of South Korea’s martial command forces made a brief but visible attempt to approach the Parliament.

Footage shared on social media showed police officers standing guard at the National Assembly’s entrance, while helmeted soldiers with rifles secured the perimeter to prevent unauthorised access.

MARTIAL LAW LIFTED IN SOUTH KOREA
Under the martial law provisions, political and parliamentary activities were to be suspended, arrests could be made without warrants, and strict restrictions were placed on dissent, including bans on “fake news” and “manipulating public opinion”. The sweeping powers immediately drew condemnation from the opposition and civil society, with many calling the move unconstitutional and an attack on democratic norms.

Protests erupted outside the National Assembly in Seoul soon after the announcement, as demonstrators clashed with security forces, chanting slogans such as “Withdraw emergency martial law!” and “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol”.

Inside the Assembly, opposition leaders from the Democratic Party mobilised their members, accusing the President of violating the Constitution and orchestrating a political coup.

The late-night session of the Assembly culminated in a unanimous vote rejecting the martial law decree. Shortly after the vote, the National Assembly Speaker declared the martial law invalid, prompting the withdrawal of troops that had entered the parliamentary premises earlier in the evening.

Protesters celebrated outside the Parliament after President Yoon announced his decision to roll back the controversial decision. The demonstrators chanted “we won”, clapped and hugged each other as the decision was overturned by Parliamentarians.

Under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. President Yoon’s own party urged him to lift the decree.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed “grave concern” over developments in South Korea after President Yoon declared martial law, emphasising the importance of resolving political disputes peacefully and upholding the rule of law.

Former South Korean Foreign Minister Kyung-wha Kang described President Yoon Suk Yeol’s late-night declaration of martial law on Tuesday as “shocking”, stating that “nothing in the country’s circumstances justified such a move”.

Kang criticised the decree as lacking justification and proper procedures, adding that it has “further weakened” the president’s authority. She expressed relief that parliament swiftly voted to reject the measure.

Shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, soldiers entered the Parliament building in Seoul through smashed windows, with a video surfacing online.

The Korean won saw a sharp drop against the US dollar on Tuesday following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected late-night declaration of martial law during a televised address.

After taking office in 2022, Yoon has continuously struggled to push his government’s agenda in parliament, where the opposition parties have a numeric majority over his People Power Party (PPP).