South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military rule
apnews.com
The president of South Korea has lifted the martial law he imposed on the country, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.

Summary (updated)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday to counter “anti-state” forces, accusing opposition lawmakers of pro-North Korean sympathies.

Parliament, controlled by the opposition, quickly voted to nullify the declaration, calling it unconstitutional.

Protesters and lawmakers denounced Yoon’s move as authoritarian, echoing South Korea’s pre-democracy era.

Military personnel withdrew following the vote, and Yoon promised to lift martial law after a Cabinet meeting.

Critics warned of democratic backsliding. This marks South Korea’s first martial law declaration since democratization in 1987.

  • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    17·
    20 days ago

    Jesus Christ.

    Edit: Okay, he said he’s going to withdraw it, like he’s supposed to when the parliament votes for it, but this is such a whirlwind I have to expect the unexpected.

    • Jack@slrpnk.netEnglish
      16·
      20 days ago

      It is a good practice to doubt the pinkie promises of wannabe dictators

      • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        6·
        20 days ago

        Yes, it sure is. In geopolitics there’s no actual binding rules, just threats and relationships.

        BBC is now reporting that the cabinet has lifted the martial law, which I assume means the immediate threat is over, without knowing how South Korean constitutional procedures work. There’s still a damn lot of “pieces to pick up”, though.