SOUTH KOREA DECLARES MARTIAL LAW

Only hours after declaring martial law, South Korea’s president was forced to lift it again.

Furious lawmakers forced their way past soldiers into parliament on Tuesday night. Their aim? To demand the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

At around 22:30, Yoon addressed the nation during an unannounced late-night TV address. He accused the country’s main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of “anti-state” activities.

By dawn, he lifted it again.

According to CNN, martial law refers to granting the military temporary rule during an emergency, which the president has the constitutional ability to declare.

Under martial law, the military banned all political activities and actions by political parties. This included protests and rallies.

Yonhap news agency reports that it also prohibited “denying free democracy or attempting a subversion” and “manipulating public opinion”.

The martial law did little to help the president’s image. Once martial law was lifted, protesters gathered outside parliament, calling for Yoon’s impending impeachment.

It’s believed protests will continue to take place until the weekend while the impeachment should be the main focus for the democratic nation’s politicians.

Image credit: CNN