South Korea's martial law shock: 5 things to know

President Yoon at a standstill with National Assembly, could face impeachment

20241204 Martial Law Newspapers

Korean newspapers report the declaration of martial law on Dec. 4. (Photo by Nami Matsuura)

AKANE OKUTSU and SAYUMI TAKE, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday night, and then quickly lifted the order after widespread condemnation and protests -- and a vote by lawmakers to rescind it.

The declaration to order the military into the streets was the first in South Korea in more than four decades.

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