South Korean leader calls off martial law after uproar

MPs vote against decree as violent protests outside National Assembly turn to celebration following reversal by president

- TOM WATLING

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has announced he will undo his dramatic declaration of martial law just hours after his military clashed with protesters outside parliament.

The short-lived decree, which opposition figures described as a coup, shocked South Korea as the president vowed to eliminate “anti-state” actors he accused of sympathising with communist North Korea.

After the edict late last night, the military surrounded the National Assembly in Seoul and clashed with protesters outraged at the declaration.

Less than three hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid” and that parliamentarians “will protect democracy with the people”. Even Mr Yoon’s own party called for the declaration to be undone.

But the military refused to back down as officials said they would wait for the president to respond to the vote, in accordance with the constitution.

After around two hours of limbo, Mr Yoon then reappeared to announce that he would soon lift the martial law.

He said his government had withdrawn the military personnel that had been deployed, and that he would formally lift martial law following a cabinet meeting as “soon as members arrive”.