South Korean President declares martial law, parliament votes to reject it

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night in a move that stunned South Koreans and triggered a short-lived attempt by troops to enter parliament, as lawmakers and protesters quickly voiced opposition to the most serious challenge to the country’s democracy since the 1980s.

The speaker of parliament declared the martial law announcement invalid and lawmakers early on Wednesday voted to reject it.

Yoon’s move, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was vocally opposed even by the leader of his own party, Han Dong-hoon, who was present for the vote in parliament and who has clashed with Yoon over the president’s handling of recent scandals.

Yoon said on Tuesday night that opposition parties had taken the parliamentary process hostage. He vowed to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” and said he had no choice but to take the measure to safeguard constitutional order. Shortly after Yoon made his announcement on live TV, people began gathering outside the parliament building. The military said activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command.

Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his opponents.

Conservatives, liberals at loggerheads

Yoon's party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year's budget bill. The opposition has also been attempting to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors.