SEOUL, South Korea (Diya TV) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said early Wednesday he would revoke a martial law decree just hours after his surprise declaration sparked widespread political backlash and plunged the nation into uncertainty. The decision came following swift condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum and a unanimous vote in the National Assembly to overturn the order.

In a late-night address on Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law, citing a motion by the opposition Democratic Party to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal. The president accused the opposition party of “sympathizing with North Korea” and engaging in anti-state activities.

However, the decree was immediately met with opposition. Members of Yoon’s People’s Power Party and the opposition collaborated to reject the decree. The National Assembly passed 190 to 300 the no-confidence vote against the order of martial law. The chairman of the National Assembly, Woo Won-sik, called the decree “invalid” and requested President Yoon to cancel emergency measures immediately.

Even Yoon’s own party called on him to step down. The People’s Power Party agreed in an emergency meeting to vote against the martial law decree, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1980 during a nationwide uprising. Memories of that period returned as troops arrived at the National Assembly on Tuesday, and protesters gathered outside in opposition.

The uncertainty lasted for several hours. Yoon had described the opposition’s action as “clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion” and labeled the National Assembly a “den of criminals.” In the speech, Yoon has defended the martial law declaration as “necessary to prevent South Korea from North Korean communist forces and eliminate an internal threat.”.

While he had not made public details about the emergency measures, local media outlets such as Yonhap and Reuters reported that the military decree banned political activities, arrested people without a warrant, and outlawed strikes and demonstrations. Doctors who had taken part in a walkout were instructed to resume duties within 48 hours.

After the parliamentary vote, the troops retreated from the grounds of the National Assembly. The citizens who had stood outside were cheering the news and some were chanting “Long live the Republic of Korea!” and demanding Yoon to resign.

The news also reverberated globally. The Biden administration in Washington, D.C., reacted by saying that it had not been apprised in advance of Yoon’s declaration of martial law. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said that the United States is watching the situation closely while underscoring the “ironclad” alliance between the United States and South Korea.

Yoon, a former prosecutor who took office in 2022, has faced several political challenges, including tensions with North Korea, declining birth rates, and economic struggles. His approval ratings have dropped in recent months, partly due to ongoing political disputes and public scandals.