South Korea back to normal, hours after martial law order

Update, 3:45 p.m.

President Yoon Suk Yeol said he would lift martial law roughly six hours after ordering it into effect, The Korea Herald reported on Tuesday. South Korea’s National Assembly demanded that he lift the martial law order shortly after he put it into place, the Herald added. South Korea’s constitution requires the president to lift a martial law order if the national assembly demands it, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Initial post, 11:40 a.m.:

South Korea wrestles with martial law order

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday to suppress what he called pro-North Korean activities, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported. The martial law order made illegal all political party activities, protests, and rallies, Yonhap explained.

Shortly after President Yoon declared martial law, South Korea’s national assembly demanded that the order be lifted. Under South Korea’s constitution, the martial law order has to be lifted if the national assembly demands as much, Yonhap said.

Why did Yoon order the martial law? The order came after South Korea’s opposition party refused to pass a reduced budget that Yoon’s ruling party supported, Yonhap reported. Opposition lawmakers also submitted impeachment motions against a prosecutor and a state auditor, the outlet said.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about South Korea raising the alarm about North Korean soldiers’ presence in Russia.