South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law overnight and then lifted it after calling the opposition “anti-state forces” threatening the country’s democracy.

Mr Yoon’s unexpected move – the first declaration of martial law in South Korea in more than four decades – has deeply alarmed the United States and the country’s other allies.

So what do we know about the decision to declare martial law, the withdrawal and what might come next?

What is martial law?

Martial law occurs when general law is suspended and civilian decision-makers are temporarily replaced by the military, usually in times of unrest or a state of emergency.

It generally gives the military much more power to make and enforce laws.

Article 77 of the South Korean constitution states that the president may declare martial law when “it is necessary to meet a military necessity or to maintain public security and order by mobilizing the armed forces in times of war, armed conflict or similar national emergencies.” “.

In a dramatic late-night emergency televised address to the nation, Mr. Yoon announced he was imposing martial law and accused the opposition of trying to paralyze the government with “anti-state activities.”

A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief Gen. Park An-su, immediately followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda,” strikes and “gatherings that foment social unrest.”

The order also placed all media under martial law authority and ordered all medical personnel, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours.

However, there were no outward signs of government control over the media, which continued to report throughout the crisis.

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Has the decision been reversed?

Just hours after his shocking statement, Mr Yoon said Wednesday’s declaration of martial law would be lifted and troops withdrawn.

“There was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we withdrew the military that was used for martial law operations,” the South Korean president said in a televised address.

“We will accept the National Assembly’s motion and lift martial law through the Cabinet meeting.”

The South Korean cabinet has now approved the request to lift martial law in the country.

What happened in the South Korean parliament?

Security forces sealed off the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops briefly entered the building, apparently to prevent politicians from entering.

But 190 people managed to get in and voted unanimously to reject Mr. Yoon’s statement and his call for the lifting of martial law.

Reuters reported that troops equipped with rifles, body armor and night vision goggles were confronted by personnel who confronted them with fire extinguishers.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside, many of whom called for Mr. Yoon’s arrest.

Why did Mr. Yoon do that?

Mr Yoon said he was acting to protect his country’s liberal democracy from “anti-state forces” and “threats from North Korea” – but gave few details or evidence.

Mr. Yoon has long held that a hard line with the North is the only way to stop Pyongyang from carrying out its nuclear threats against Seoul.

The Associated Press noted that the vague statement was reminiscent of the brutal tactics of previous South Korean dictatorships, when a series of strongmen repeatedly invoked North Korea as they fought to control domestic dissidents and political opponents.

There were quick claims that the emergency declaration was linked to Mr. Yoon’s political struggles.

The president complained about 22 articles of impeachment filed against administration officials since he took office in May 2022.

Just this month, Mr. Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife.

The claims have dented his approval ratings and fueled attacks from his rivals.

The martial law announcement also came amid a simmering budget dispute between Mr. Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party.

The opposition cut around 4.1 trillion won ($4.5 billion) from Mr. Yoon’s proposed 677 trillion won ($736 billion) budget for next year, prompting the president to complain about it , that “all key budgets essential to the country’s core functions” would be cut.

“What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular and ineffective leader, and he has difficulty getting public support for anything he tries to do,” said Alan Yu, a former U.S. diplomat in Asia who now works at the center for American progress.

What was the reaction domestically?

The opposition called Mr Yoon’s move undemocratic.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called the announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”

“The people will block the president’s unconstitutional move. The military must definitely be on the side of the public. Let us firmly oppose it,” wrote Kim Dong Yeon, opposition party governor of Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul.

But the sudden statement was also rejected by Mr Yoon’s conservative party leader Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “break up with the people.”

The average South Korean was largely in shock. Social media was flooded with messages expressing surprise and concern at Mr Yoon’s announcement.

“I first thought about war with North Korea when he said he was going to declare martial law,” posted another.

What was the reaction abroad?

South Korea is a key ally of the West in Asia and is seen as a key democratic bulwark in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes, and the drama is being closely watched.

Washington expressed “great concern” about the situation and called for a “peaceful and lawful solution,” while Britain said it was “watching closely.”

China, a key ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, urged its citizens to exercise caution, while Russia – which has become increasingly close to Pyongyang – called the situation “alarming”.

Several foreign embassies in Seoul also warned their citizens to be careful.

When did South Korea stop being a dictatorship?

South Korea only became a democracy in the late 1980s, and military intervention in civil affairs is still a very sensitive issue.

During the dictatorships that emerged as the country was rebuilding after the devastation of the Korean War, leaders occasionally imposed martial law, allowing them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or public squares to prevent anti-government demonstrations .

Such scenes are unimaginable for many today.

Dictator Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for nearly 20 years before being assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979, led several thousand soldiers into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, marking the country’s first successful coup.

During his rule, he occasionally imposed martial law to crack down on protests and imprison critics.

Less than two months after his death, Major General Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country’s second successful coup.

The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju that killed at least 200 people.

In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced his government to accept direct presidential elections.

His former army colleague Roh Tae-woo, who had joined the 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987, largely thanks to divided votes among the liberal opposition candidates.

ABC/Wires