South Korea martial law lifted as president Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment – live updates

The political chaos has created deep divisions in president Yoon Suk Yeo’s ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for defence minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign.

The Defence Ministry has now said that Mr Kim has offered to resign.

South Korea’s opposition parties announced today that they have filed an impeachment motion against president Yoon Suk Yeol following his brief martial law declaration.

Representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, revealed during a live press briefing that the motion was submitted urgently. They suggested the vote could take place as soon as Friday, AFP reported.

President Yoon’s office defended the martial law decree, calling it “justified and within the bounds of the constitution” and denied claims that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers’ access to parliament.

Mr Yoon reversed the declaration hours later after parliament rejected his move to ban political activities and censor the media.

In South Korea, impeachment requires a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and approval from the Constitutional Court. Past impeachments include Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2016, and Roh Moo-hyun, who was reinstated in 2004.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that Nato was closely monitoring the situation in South Korea, emphasising that the alliance’s relationship with the country is “ironclad”.

He said: “We are following events in South Korea, we are interested in how the situation may develop further.” He said: “Our relationship with South Korea is key, our relationship with South Korea is ironclad.”

The United States expressed relief after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his martial law declaration.

A White House official said that “democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance” and said that the US was “seriously concerned” before the reversal.

The spokesperson added: “We are relieved president Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assembly’s vote to end it”, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

The spokesperson said that they would continue to monitor the situation.

New CCTV footage released today revealed the chaotic scenes in South Korea’s parliament after president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration.

Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage shows.

Helicopters brought heavily armed troops into the parliamentary compound, while other soldiers climbed fences and smashed windows to gain entry after midnight, described as an “unconstitutional and illegal” act by assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki.

“We will identify the physical damages and losses caused by the declaration of martial law and hold those responsible accountable through legal action.”

South Korean opposition parties announced today that they have filed a motion to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief declaration of martial law.

“We’ve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently,” representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, said during a live press briefing.

They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, president Yoon’s office defended the martial law declaration, calling it “justified and within the bounds of the constitution” and denied that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers’ access to parliament.

Mr Yoon reversed the order hours later after parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.

The US embassy in South Korea issued an emergency alert today, advising American citizens to exercise caution following the lifting of martial law in the country.

The embassy said that the situation remained “fluid” after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was overturned by the National Assembly.

“Following President Yoon’s announcement to lift the martial law declaration, the situation remains fluid,” the embassy said on its website.

“US citizens should anticipate potential disruptions. When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions,” the posting said, Yonhap news agency reported.

The embassy also announced the cancellation of routine consular appointments and visa services for the day.

Videos show chaos outside the South Korean parliament building as military soldiers try to hold off crowds after President Yoon Sook Yeol declared martial law in the country.

The footage circulated on social media shows people believed to be South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party’s staff, trying to block soldiers at the National Assembly.

Earlier on Tuesday, the unpopular President Yoon declared martial law as he vowed to ‘eradicate pro-North Korean anti-state forces’ but the South Korean parliament quickly voted to overturn the declaration.

Mr Yoon’s poll ratings have fallen in recent months after he dismissed calls for independent probes into scandals involving his wife and top officials.

After the edict late on Tuesday night, the military surrounded the National Assembly in Seoul and clashed with protesters outraged at the declaration.

Less than three hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid” and that parliamentarians “will protect democracy with the people”. Even Mr Yoon’s own party called for the declaration to be undone.

But the military refused to back down as officials said they would wait for the president to respond to the vote, in accordance with the constitution.