SEOUL, December 04 (AJP) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the emergency martial law early Wednesday morning, following a vote by the National Assembly to overturn his decision. The move came after a tense night of political drama, during which troops surrounded the parliament building and lawmakers voted to reject the president's declaration.
The Cabinet approved the motion to end martial law enforcement at 4:30 a.m., approximately six hours after President Yoon's surprise announcement. He had accused the opposition of "paralyzing" the government with "anti-state" activities.
The United States expressed "grave concern" over the situation, while the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, called the president's actions a "coup."
The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution early Wednesday demanding the immediate lifting of martial law, prompting military forces to withdraw from the National Assembly building they had occupied.
All 190 lawmakers present voted for the resolution at 1:00 a.m., directly challenging President Yoon's martial law declaration at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
He justified the declaration as necessary to “eradicate pro-North forces and protect the constitutional order.”
The swift passage of the resolution underscored the lawmakers' united stance against what many have called an unconstitutional measure.
Martial law forces had entered the National Assembly late Tuesday night, shortly after the declaration. Armed soldiers in riot gear breached the building after encountering resistance from staff and citizens, who had formed barricades and used fire extinguishers in a desperate effort to impede their advance.
Moments after the resolution was passed, martial law forces began withdrawing from the National Assembly building. By 1:11 a.m., the soldiers had vacated the premises, marking a significant victory for the legislature in its standoff with the executive branch.
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