Lawmakers in South Korea have voted to block the president’s move to declare martial law, after both the ruling party and opposition vowed to obstruct the declaration.
The resolution requesting the lifting of martial law was passed with 190 of 300 members in attendance, with all present in favour.
President Yoon Suk Yeol had declared emergency martial law in the country in a surprise late night television address, calling it necessary to protect the country from North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.
Large crowds have been clashing with police outside the South Korean National Assembly since the unexpected announcement.
Martial law means rule by military authorities in a time of emergency, and can mean the suspension of normal civil rights.
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