South Korean president faces possible impeachment after martial law order revocation

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday demanded President Yoon Suk-yeol immediately step down as his surprise declaration of martial law was lifted after the National Assembly voted to reject it, Yonhap News reported.

The DP said that it will immediately begin the process for Yoon's impeachment unless he steps down on his own.

South Korea's senior presidential staff, including chief of staff and all the senior secretaries, offered to resign after Yoon declared and lifted the martial law, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday, citing the presidential office.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon's ruling People Power Party, called for Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign.

Yoon declared "emergency" martial law late Tuesday in a surprise televised address and abandoned the attempt hours later after lawmakers defied security forces to vote against his declaration and thousands of protesters took to the streets.

This marked the first time in 45 years that martial law was declared in Korea, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

What happened after imposing martial law?

A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief General Park An-su swiftly followed, banning political activities and parties, "false propaganda," strikes and "gatherings that incite social unrest."

The order also brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law and directed all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours.

Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the building for a short time, seemingly in a bid to prevent lawmakers from getting inside.

But 190 lawmakers managed to enter and voted unanimously to reject Yoon's declaration and call for martial law to be lifted.

Domestic concerns

Yoon said in a televised address that "to safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law." The president labelled the main opposition DP, which holds a majority in the 300-member parliament, "anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime."

Han expressed his great regret over the martial law declaration as the ruling party chair, saying the unconstitutional, illegal declaration lost its effect after the parliamentary decision and calling for those involved to be held accountable. 

DP leader Lee Jae-myung said the declaration was illegal and unconstitutional as it failed to meet the requirements under the constitution and the martial law, urging the police and the military to return to their normal job as following the illegal, unconstitutional order of the president itself is illegal.

Protesters outside the National Assembly shouted and clapped after the martial law was lifted. More protests are expected on Wednesday with South Korea's largest union coalition, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, planning to hold a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Yoon resigns.

International reactions

The United States, which said it was not given advance notice of Yoon's plan to impose martial law, initially voiced "grave concern" at the declaration, then relief.

"We are relieved President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assembly's vote to end it," a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement, using the acronym for South Korea's official name.

Britain and Germany both said they were closely following developments.

Planned defense talks and joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. were postponed, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Sweden's prime minister also postponed a visit to South Korea, a spokesperson said.

(With input from agencies)