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[UPDATED] South Korean president says he will lift martial law after lawmakers vote to reject his move

apnews.com South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military rule

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.

South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers 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.

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