South Korea martial law as it happened: President lifts declaration as chaos erupts in Seoul

On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and triggered a political crisis. Hours later, he was forced to walk back the declaration. Here’s what you need to know as the fallout continues throughout the afternoon:

• Yoon made the declaration in a live televised address, vowing to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” and said he had no choice but to take the measure to safeguard constitutional order.
• Tuesday’s move was the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea.
• The country’s National Assembly passed a motion to lift the martial law declaration within hours of its announcement, and Yoon’s national cabinet honoured that vote early on Wednesday morning.
• South Korean troops sent to the National Assembly building have been withdrawn, and the command to enforce the martial law declaration has been disbanded.
• Yoon is now facing widespread calls to resign, with members of South Korea’s main opposition political party also calling for him to be impeached or face treason charges.
• Protesters have returned to the National Assembly building in Seoul to issue further demands for the president’s resignation.

Thanks for joining us as we wrap up our live coverage of events in South Korea for today. Read North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin’s analysis here for the latest on the situation.

South Korea’s opposition is calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or be impeached after plunging the country into political chaos when he declared martial law, only to backflip on the move hours later.

Democratic Party of Korea MP Park Chan-dae said in a statement that even though martial law was lifted, the president “cannot avoid treason charges”.

“It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down.”

Park’s calls echoed Opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung’s earlier condemnation of the declaration.

Reuters

The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated the official travel advice for South Korea amid an unfolding political crisis sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.

An update published to Smartraveller warned Australians to avoid protests.

The update reads:

The situation in South Korea is evolving due to developments in domestic politics. Avoid protests and demonstrations.

Sites like Gwanghwamun Square and Yeouido in Seoul may have larger crowds and more protest activity than usual. Transport and other essential services may be disrupted. Monitor the media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.”

The Australian Embassy in Seoul is open but not currently offering in-person services. Anyone needing consular assistance should contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

The overall travel advice for South Korea is still set at “Exercise normal safety precautions”.

The first declaration of martial law in South Korea in almost 50 years sparked chaos in the country’s capital, Seoul, as thousands gathered to protest the move outside parliament and troops descended on the National Assembly building.

Footage captured by a South Korean media outlet, OhmyTV, shows a woman tussling with a soldier as she attempts to take his gun before being pushed aside.

Other footage circulating online shows troops smashing windows of the National Assembly building to gain access after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says he will soon move to lift the martial law declaration imposed on Tuesday night, honouring a parliamentary vote against the measure.

Yoon said his government had withdrawn military personnel that had been deployed, and that he would formally lift martial law following a cabinet meeting “as soon as members arrive”. It is just before 5am local time in Seoul, South Korea’s capital.

Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday to thwart “anti-state forces” among his opponents. But outraged MPs rejected the decree, as protesters gathered outside parliament in the country’s biggest political crisis in decades.

Yoon’s surprise declaration, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was unanimously voted down by 190 MPs. Under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. His own party urged him to lift the decree.

The crisis in a country that has been a democracy since the 1980s, and is a US ally and major Asian economy, caused international alarm.

Reuters, AP