Despite a parliamentary rejection of his decree, the South Korean military has pledged its support to the president.
Following the parliament’s unanimous rejection of his decree, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the lifting of the emergency martial law just hours after its implementation.
Yoon’s surprise announcement on Tuesday cited the alleged threat of pro-North Korean elements and accused the parliamentary majority of undermining the state.
Within hours, 190 lawmakers present in the National Assembly voted to revoke the decree. The military, however, stated that martial law would remain until the president rescinded it.
President Yoon subsequently ended the state of emergency shortly after 4am local time.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, denounced Yoon’s action as unconstitutional and urged the military and police to return to their regular duties.
Lee’s party had previously voted against Yoon’s 2025 budget and is calling for investigations into alleged scandals involving the president’s wife and senior officials.