SEOUL South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec 3 declared emergency martial law in an unannounced late night address broadcast live on television, which the opposition-led Parliament voted hours later to revoke.
It was the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea.
Mr Yoon claimed he would eradicate "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces", but did not cite any specific threat from North Korea, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents.
All 190 lawmakers present voted in favour of the motion to revoke the declaration made by Mr Yoon, after Speaker Woo Won-shik convened an emergency plenary session.
According to Korean law, the president is required to lift the declaration if the National Assembly requests it after a majority vote.
Mr Yoon's declaration sent shock waves through the country.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Parliament building to protest against the imposition of martial law, according to live footage.
Live television footage showed troops attempting to enter the assembly building, apparently tasked with imposing martial law, and parliamentary aides trying to push them back by spraying fire extinguishers.
In a Facebook post on Dec 3, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul said it was closely monitoring the situation, urging all Singaporeans in South Korea to stay calm and monitor the news.
Singaporeans in South Korea are recommended to register online with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This story is from the December 04, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 04, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Passengers say Turkish Airlines flights have bedbugs
Shortly after boarding her Turkish Airlines flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul in March, Ms Patience Titcombe from Phoenix noticed a small bug crawling on her seat when she got up to use the restroom.
Actor Ben Yeo shutters restaurant after incurring $1 million loss in two years
Local actor and F&B entrepreneur Ben Yeo is shutting down the high-end modern Chinese restaurant he founded, Tan Xiang Yuan, after two years.
Director Jeff Baena elevated dark themes with humour in his works
American director and screenwriter Jeff Baena, who co-wrote the dark comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004) and directed films including Life After Beth (2014) and Horse Girl (2020), died on Jan. 3 at a residence in Los Angeles. He was 47.
Squid Game star denies ties with South Korea ruling party's former leader
Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae has distanced himself from the party of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol after a photo of him with the party's ex-leader resurfaced online, according to Korean media.
Japanese cast dominates as Shogun breaks new ground
Comeback stories and Asian representation at the awards show celebrating the best in film and TV
A toast to Switzerland
The country is adopting a sip-and-stay approach to spread the word on its best-kept secret – wines
Saving the mysterious African manatee in Cameroon
Ever since his first hard-won sightings of African manatees, award-winning marine biologist Aristide Takoukam Kamla has been devoted to protecting the little-known and at-risk aquatic mammals.
'CRAZY' CHUA TURNS PRO
S'pore triathlete aims to win SEA Games, qualify for Asian Games and Olympics
The fall in sport is cruel, inevitable and hard to digest
In sport, this is the guarantee. Falls will be hard. The boxer sent to the canvas. The rugby winger brought to earth. The gymnast slipping off the high bar. And the hero tumbling from his pedestal.
AMORIM WANTS SAME 'MENTALITY EVERY DAY'
United need to replicate the fortitude shown in draw at Liverpool to become a better side
