Martial Law Lifted After S. Korean Nat’l Assembly Votes to Reject it
President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the lifting of emergency martial law early Wednesday, as the National Assembly voted to call for its end with the United States expressing “grave concern” over the hourslong saga.
His Cabinet approved a motion to end martial law enforcement at 4:30 a.m., around six hours after he made the surprise emergency declaration, accusing the nation’s opposition of “paralyzing” the government with “anti-state” activities — a decision that caused concerns across the country and beyond.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that troops, who were mobilized to execute martial law, have returned to base in a move that restored a sense of normalcy.
“At 11 p.m. last night, I declared emergency martial law with my resolute intent to save the nation in the face of anti-state forces that attempt to paralyze the nation’s essential function and the constitutional order of free democracy,” he said.
“But there was a demand from the National Assembly for the lifting of martial law, (I) have withdrawn troops mobilized to execute martial law affairs,” he added.
Yoon reiterated his calls for the National Assembly to stop “outrageous” activities that he said paralyze national functions, including impeachment attempts against government officials.
After the lifting of the law, members of the opposition bloc ramped up criticism of Yoon with some even threatening to initiate a motion to impeach the president.
Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, expressed his intention to push for an impeachment motion, lambasting the mobilization of military personnel following the rare martial law declaration.
The martial law declaration sent shock waves across the country and beyond. U.S. officials have expressed “grave concern” and stressed Washington’s hope that any “political” disputes in South Korea will be resolved “peacefully.”
“We’re watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said during a public event, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
He noted that the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains “ironclad,” but called for a “peaceful” resolution.
