Seoul, 3 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday morning that he would lift the martial law that he declared just hours earlier, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Yoon said the military had withdrawn from the National Assembly and that the martial law would come to an end following an imminent meeting of his Cabinet.

The president had called martial law late Tuesday, saying it was a step to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom."

The National Assembly swiftly voted to lift the state of emergency, with 190 members of parliament in favour of the corresponding motion.

The president was obliged to lift the martial law if the 300-seat parliament voted in favour by a majority, Yonhap reported, citing Parliamentary Speaker Woo Won Shik.

Photo: EPA