South Korean parliament votes to invalidate martial law declaration

The South Korean parliament has decided that the martial law declaration is invalid in a vote held following the announcement.

After South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, the parliament held a vote on the decision. In the vote, which was attended by 190 of the 300 members of parliament, all 190 members voted in favor of lifting martial law. The parliamentary presidency declared that the martial law decision was invalid as a result of the vote. According to the South Korean constitution, martial law can be lifted upon the request of a parliamentary majority.

OPPOSITION FLOCKED TO PARLIAMENT

Upon the call of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party which holds the majority in parliament, opposition supporters flocked to the parliament building. Scuffles broke out between security forces and opposition supporters. Following the decision to lift martial law, protesters gathered around the National Assembly building and chanted slogans calling for the prosecution of President Yoon.

In the capital Seoul, armored vehicles took to the streets and military helicopters conducted flights following the martial law declaration.

"I AM DECLARING MARTIAL LAW TO PROTECT THE FREE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER"

President Yoon had declared martial law to eliminate pro-North Korean forces, stating, "I am declaring martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eliminate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order."

Following the declaration of martial law, South Korean Army Chief of Staff Park An-su was appointed as the martial law commander, and the activities of the assembly and political parties had been banned.