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4 Dec 2024

In photos: Martial law declared in South Korea

9:22 am on 4 December 2024

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol made a shock announcement of martial law on television late Tuesday night local time.

Soliders, police, and protestors headed to the National Assembly, inside lawmakers voted down the decree.

Yoon has since said he will withdraw martial law.

Here's how it played out in pictures:

A television screen shows South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol speaking during a news broadcast at a train station in Seoul on December 3, 2024, after he declared emergency martial law, saying the step was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces" amid parliamentary wrangling over a budget bill. - "To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements... I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said in a live televised address to the nation. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol made a shock declaration of martial law in a late night television addresss. Photo: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP

Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Soldiers soon headed to the National Assembly building in Seoul. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP

Police attempt to hold back people trying to enter the National Assembly in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on December 3, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 declared emergency martial law, saying the step was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces" amid parliamentary wrangling over a budget bill. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)

Police attempt to hold back people trying to enter the National Assembly. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP

People gather in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on December 4, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 declared emergency martial law, saying the step was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces" amid parliamentary wrangling over a budget bill. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)

Large crows gathered outside the National Assembly. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE

South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (C top) passes a resolution demanding the immediate lifting of martial law at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / NO USE AFTER JANUARY 3, 2025 15:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO ARCHIVES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE

Inside lawmakers passed a resolution demanding the immediate lifting of martial law. Photo: YONHAP / AFP

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (C) speaks to the media at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - Yoon on December 3 declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung spoke to media outside. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP

Members of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party set up barricades at a entrance of the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / NO USE AFTER JANUARY 3, 2025 15:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO ARCHIVES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE

Members of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party set up barricades at a entrance of the National Assembly building in Seoul. Photo: YONHAP / AFP

People gesture as they gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Protesters braved 0 degC temperatures to remain outside overnight. Photo: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP

Soldiers withdraw from the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after the passage of a resolution during an emergency plenary session urging South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol to revoke martial law. - Yoon on December 3 declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / NO USE AFTER DECEMBER 12, 2024 17:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO ARCHIVES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE

Soldiers were seen leaving the National Assembly after martial law was voted down. Photo: YONHAP / AFP

People gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. - South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North. (Photo by YONHAP / AFP) / - South Korea OUT / NO USE AFTER JANUARY 3, 2025 15:00:00 GMT - - SOUTH KOREA OUT / NO ARCHIVES - RESTRICTED TO SUBSCRIPTION USE

Crowds remained outside the National Assembly. Photo: YONHAP / AFP

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