South Korean President Lifts Martial Law in 6 Hours—But Critics Say He Could Reinstate It at Any Moment

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced on Tuesday morning that he would lift the “state of emergency” just six hours after declaring it. This decision sparked strong criticism from the Center for Military Human Rights Korea, which called him a “traitor.”

The Military Human Rights Center responded, “Do not trust lifting the emergency declaration. Yoon Suk Yeol has threatened the people even while lifting the emergency.” They accused him of attempting to undermine the Constitution by declaring an emergency, warning that he could reinstate it anytime. “He is a leader of the insurrection who sought to trample on the Constitution with a state of emergency. He can declare an emergency again, whether now, an hour from now, or tonight,” the group said.

The center urged the public not to trust Yoon, claiming that doing so would jeopardize South Korean democracy. “We must not let our guard down until we drive Yoon out of the presidency. Let’s protect this country from the threat of a coup until the end. Everyone, put down your work and gather in the squares,” they added.

At 10:25 PM on Tuesday, Yoon made an unscheduled emergency address, declaring martial law and accusing the National Assembly of being “a den of criminals” that paralyzes the nation’s judicial and administrative systems. He stated that the assembly’s actions amounted to a “legislative dictatorship” and were attempting to overthrow the country’s democratic system.

During his address, Yoon declared, “To protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless anti-state forces that are plundering our people’s freedom and happiness, I declare a state of emergency to safeguard our constitutional order.”

In response, both the opposition and the ruling party protested, leading to the National Assembly convening a session. Despite troops closing off the assembly, the lawmakers passed a resolution demanding the emergency be lifted with unanimous support from all 190 members present at 1 AM on Tuesday.

After approximately three hours, Yoon announced that he would comply with the National Assembly’s request and order the withdrawal of the military forces deployed for emergency duties. “I will accept the National Assembly’s request and lift the emergency through the Cabinet meeting,” he said.