South Korean president retracts martial law after backlash

President Jun Suk Jeola announced martial law on Tuesday evening local time, accusing the opposition of paralyzing government work and sympathizing with North Korea. As part of the decree, the military banned political activities, halted the work of parliament and parties, and imposed media control.

The police blocked entrances to the parliament building, where a crowd of martial law opponents had gathered. According to media reports, there were scuffles, and special forces entered the building, as reported by the BBC.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed satisfaction with South Korean President Jun Suk Jeola's decision to lift martial law. The decree was reversed just a few hours after it was implemented.

We continue to expect political disagreements to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law – emphasised Antony Blinken.

The opposition managed to convene a parliamentary session, during which with 190 out of 300 members of the National Assembly present, a resolution calling for the repeal of martial law was adopted. After the vote, soldiers began leaving the parliament, and President Jun announced the lifting of martial law.

According to the South Korean Constitution, the president is obliged to adhere to the request to lift martial law if it is supported by a majority of the total number of National Assembly members. All those present in the chamber voted in favor, including 18 representatives of the People's Power Party, from the faction of party leader Han Dong Hun, as well as 172 members of the current opposition.

The decision to repeal martial law was met with relief both domestically and internationally, as highlighted by Antony Blinken's statement.