SOUTH KOREA LIFTS MARTIAL LAW AFTER PARLIAMENT VOTES TO REJECT EMERGENCY RULE

South Korea formally lifted martial law early Wednesday, just six hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unprecedented declaration prompted a swift rejection from the National Assembly. The decision followed a unanimous parliamentary vote, with 190 lawmakers defying the president’s emergency measures and calling for an end to military intervention. Troops stationed around parliament were withdrawn after the cabinet approved the measure’s revocation during an early morning meeting. The martial law order, criticized as a return to authoritarianism, drew widespread protests and global concern. President Yoon defended the declaration but pledged to “normalize” governance while maintaining his criticisms of the opposition.