A few hours after announcing martial law in the country, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on early Wednesday announced the withdrawal of emergency martial law following a vote by the National Assembly calling for its termination.


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The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea confirmed that the troops deployed to enforce martial law had returned to their bases, indicating a return to normalcy,  ANI reported citing Yonhap News Agency.


In the early hours, President Yoon's cabinet approved a motion to lift martial law, about six hours after Yoon had declared it on Tuesday in response to what he described as "anti-state" activities by the opposition, which he claimed were "paralyzing" the government.


This emergency declaration sparked significant concerns both domestically and internationally.


President Yoon stated that he had declared emergency martial law with the intent to save the nation from anti-state forces attempting to "paralyse" the nation's critical functions.


"At 11 p.m. last night, I declared emergency martial law with my resolute intent to save the nation in the face of anti-state forces that attempt to paralyse the nation's essential function and the constitutional order of free democracy," he said, ANI reported citing Yonhap News Agency.


Why South Korea Overturns Martial Law


President Yoon stated that the National Assembly had demanded the lifting of martial law.


"But there was a demand from the National Assembly for the lifting of martial law; (I) have withdrawn troops mobilised to execute martial law affairs," he said.


​Despite the lifting of martial law, opposition members intensified their criticism of Yoon, with some threatening to start impeachment proceedings against the president, according to Yonhap News Agency.


(With ANI inputs)