South Korea lifts martial regulation after lawmakers reject Presidential decree

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted martial regulation early Wednesday, 4 December, following intense political backlash and a swift bipartisan vote in parliament rejecting the transfer. The decree, imposed late Tuesday, had plunged the nation into political turmoil, with troops surrounding the Nationwide Meeting and sparking public protests.

Yoon declared martial regulation citing “anti-state forces” and accusing opposition lawmakers of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Nonetheless, the Nationwide Meeting, led by Speaker Woo Received Shik, denounced the measure as “invalid” and vowed to uphold democracy.

The liberal Democratic Occasion, which holds a majority within the 300-seat parliament, referred to as for lawmakers to stay in session till the order was rescinded.

Troops stationed exterior parliament started withdrawing shortly after the vote. Woo counseled the army’s swift compliance, stating, “Even with our unlucky reminiscences of army coups, our residents have absolutely noticed the occasions of at present and seen the maturity of our army.

The president formally lifted martial regulation at a Cupboard assembly round 4:30 a.m. however continued to criticize the parliament for making an attempt to question senior officers and prosecutors.