South Korea's Yoon Lifts Martial Law After National Assembly Demands End

SEOUL, Dec 4 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the lifting of emergency martial law early Wednesday after the National Assembly voted to call for its end, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Cabinet approved the motion to end martial law at 4.30 am, around six hours after Yoon declared it, accusing the opposition of "paralysing" the government with "anti-state activities."

The decision drew concerns both domestically and internationally, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that troops mobilised to enforce martial law had returned to their bases, restoring a sense of normalcy.

“At 11 pm 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 paralyse the nation’s essential functions and the constitutional order of free democracy.

“But as the National Assembly has demanded its lifting, I have withdrawn the troops mobilised to enforce martial law affairs,” said Yoon.

Yoon also called on the National Assembly to cease what he described as "outrageous" activities that paralyse government functions, including impeachment attempts against officials.

Following the lifting of martial law, opposition lawmakers criticised Yoon’s actions, with some threatening to push for his impeachment.

The declaration sparked international reactions, with United States (US) officials expressing "grave concern" and urging political disputes in South Korea to be resolved "peacefully."

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP