South Korean parliament declares martial law null and void, soldiers leave building

South Korea's National Assembly has voted to lift martial law and soldiers have left the legislative building.

Early on December 4 (late December 3, Vietnam time), the South Korean National Assembly voted to pass a resolution asking President Yoon Suk Yeol to lift martial law.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks to the press after the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift martial law.

Soldiers leave the parliament building

Soldiers leave parliament after lawmakers vote to lift martial law

According to Yonhap, all 190 lawmakers present voted to pass the resolution, and with the majority of parliament members passing, the martial law declared by President Yoon a few hours earlier was nullified.

The office of the National Assembly Speaker said the soldiers had left the building. The South Korean National Assembly has 300 seats, with the opposition Democratic Party holding a majority of 170 seats.

After martial law was declared, many lawmakers rushed to the parliament to attend an emergency session while police blocked protesters outside. Military helicopters enforcing martial law later landed on the grounds of the building but were blocked by members of parliament from entering.

South Korean President suddenly declares martial law

Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared "emergency martial law" to "protect the free constitutional order" from external and internal threats. President Yoon blamed the opposition for the government's paralysis, while mentioning threats from the DPRK.

Crowds gathered outside the South Korean parliament in Seoul early morning of December 4.

According to the South Korean constitution, the president can declare martial law to meet military needs in times of war, armed conflict, emergency or in situations where public order and security are needed.

Meanwhile, martial law must be lifted when a majority of members of parliament request it. Leaders of Mr Yoon’s own party and the opposition Democratic Party have criticized the decision to declare martial law as unconstitutional.

It is not yet clear how President Yoon will react to the parliament's move.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quoc-hoi-han-quoc-tuyen-bo-thiet-quan-luat-vo-hieu-binh-si-roi-toa-nha-185241204001614306.htm