South Korean President lifts emergency martial law after fierce backlash

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced the lifting of emergency martial law after the National Assembly voted to end it, following fierce backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum. 

His Cabinet approved a motion to terminate martial law approximately six hours after the surprise emergency declaration. The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that troops mobilised to enforce martial law have returned to their bases, restoring a sense of



normalcy.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party, demanded that President Yoon “step down immediately” over his declaration of martial law, accusing him of treason.

In an earlier late-night television address, President Yoon had described the measure as necessary to safeguard the nation from North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.