Martial Law Declaration and Immediate Reversal

The president of South Korea declared martial law in a late-night address, arguing it was necessary to combat pro-North Korean forces in the opposition party that he claimed were threatening the democratic system. This declaration aimed to suspend parliamentary activities and control media, presenting a serious challenge to democratic norms. However, just seven hours later, the parliament voted to overturn the martial law order, leading to its immediate withdrawal by the president. This swift action by the legislature illustrated both the resilience of democratic processes in South Korea and raised concerns over the president's attempt to consolidate power.