South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “martial law” on Tuesday, accusing the opposition that controls the country’s parliament of sympathizing with communist North Korea and plunging the nation into a democratic crisis.
Hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid” and that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people.”
South Korean military officials said martial law would remain in effect until Yoon himself lifted the order, according to local media. Yet police and military personnel were seen leaving the Assembly’s grounds after Woo called for their withdrawal.
Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers will remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifts his order. All 190 lawmakers …