Summary

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing a need to combat “anti-state forces,” but the opposition-controlled parliament voted unanimously to overturn it within hours.

This marks the first martial law declaration since South Korea’s democratization in 1987.

Yoon’s move, condemned as unconstitutional by opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and even Yoon’s own party leader, Han Dong-hoon, was seen as an authoritarian response to opposition resistance.

Soldiers and police, initially deployed to parliament, withdrew after the vote.

Yoon faces mounting political struggles, including low approval ratings and legislative gridlock.