By Members of the military make their way through the crowd in front of the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 4, 2024.
Kim Hong-ji | Reuters
South Korean National Assembly voted to overturn President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law decree Wednesday morning in Seoul.
Within three hours of Yoon declaring martial law late Tuesday night, 190 out of the 300 National Assembly lawmakers gathered to overturn the emergency martial law. Under the country’s constitution, the president is required to comply with the National Assembly’s vote.
This marked the first time in 44 years martial law was declared in South Korea.
Yoon’s martial law decree came as a shock even to members of his People Power Party. Party leader Han Dong-hoon and Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon both voiced their opposition to Yoon’s martial law declaration on Tuesday night.
The National Assembly had been barricaded by soldiers and police officers.
President Yoon’s declaration roiled Korean markets. The won fell sharply against the dollar, last trading down more than 1% at around 1,420 won.
“The Administration is in contact with the ROK government and is monitoring the situation closely,” said the White House National Security Council in a statement to NBC News.
