On Wednesday morning, several doors to South Korea’s National Assembly were cordoned off following tense protests overnight. The protests erupted after President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a martial law order, causing chaos in the country.
By 11 a.m. local time, remnants of the protests were still visible as at least two entrances to the parliamentary building remained barricaded with furniture and blocked by tape. The clashes between protesters and authorities led to a dramatic scene as lawmakers worked swiftly to overturn the president's decree.
Television footage from late Tuesday showed soldiers attempting to enter the main hall of the National Assembly after being deployed to enforce the martial law order. However, President Yoon later announced a reversal of his decision and withdrew the troops following a unanimous vote by lawmakers to block the decree. The Cabinet also voted to lift the order, bringing some calm to the situation.
During an emergency late-night session, 190 out of South Korea’s 300 National Assembly members were present to vote on the decree. The swift action taken by the lawmakers helped defuse the escalating tensions.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, police were seen forcibly removing dozens of protesters from the National Assembly grounds. Among those removed were students and elderly individuals, adding to the growing calls for President Yoon to step down.
The events at the National Assembly highlight the delicate balance between government authority and public dissent in South Korea. The reversal of the martial law order serves as a testament to the power of democratic processes and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
