South Korea crisis – President lifts martial law in humiliating U-turn | BBC News

South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol has announced that he is lifting martial law in the country, just hours after imposing it.

He was forced to back down in the face unanimous opposition from members of South Korea’s national assembly. The political crisis is the most serious challenge to the country’s democracy since the 1980s.

The President, who was facing a political crisis and little public support, sought to impose military rule in what appeared to be a desperate gamble, after accusing his political opponents of being "communists" with “pro-North Korean sympathies” and engaging in “anti-state activities”.

However the announcement led to mass protests outside parliament and was rejected by the national assembly. After some of the tensest hours in the country’s recent history, Yoon said troops would return to their barracks and the order would be lifted.

Political opponents are now demanding that the President steps down immediately with some calling for him to be charged with treason for attacking South Korea’s democracy and constitution.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Laura Bicker in Seoul.

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