South Korean soldiers could be seen early on Wednesday entering the parliament building in Seoul through smashed windows. It happened shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, creating the most serious challenge to South Korea’s democracy since the 1980s as lawmakers rejected the move in a vote and protesters gathered outside parliament. Yoon’s declaration, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was vocally opposed by the speaker of parliament and even the leader of Yoon’s own party, Han Dong-hoon, who has clashed with the president over his handling of recent scandals. Under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. Live television footage showed helmeted troops apparently tasked with imposing martial law attempting to enter the National Assembly building
South Korea gripped by uncertainty as MPs defy president’s declaration of martial law
South Korea martial law will stay in place until president lifts it, military officials say – live
