South Korea martial law timeline: Yoon's announcement, protests, U-turn - How events unfolded

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday (Dec 4) lifted martial law that he had imposed just hours earlier, bowing to people's resistance and lawmakers' rejection of the move. The brief, confusing episode sent shockwaves through the Asian nation and the world.

Here's a timeline of how the turmoil unfolded in South Korea:

On Tuesday night, Yoon invoked martial law, citing threats from North Korea and domestic "anti-state forces." 

"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," he said in an unannounced late-night address broadcast live on YTN television.

"Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the abyss of national ruin. To this end, I will definitely eradicate the anti-state forces who are the main culprit of the country's ruination and conduct vicious activities."

His announcement thrust South Korea into uncharted territory, as no such declaration had been made since the nation's transition to democracy over 40 years ago. 

Soon after the imposition of martial law, martial law commander Park An-su issued a six-point decree that among other things banned all political activities in the country and made all media subject to "the control of the Martial Law Command."

"All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited," he said.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency soon reported that the National Assembly has been sealed.

Slamming Yoon, opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, said the martial law imposition was "illegal" and "invalid". He called people to join him in protest.

"Please come to the National Assembly now. I am heading there as well," he said.

Soon after, hundreds of protestors and opposition party leaders gathered at the South Korean parliament, rallying against the imposition of martial law.

Following this, helicopters were seen landing on the building's roof and troops entered the assembly, seemingly in a bid to block lawmakers from getting inside.

Scrambling to action, the National Assembly speaker opened a plenary session to block martial law declaration.

In spite of the blockades, 190 lawmakers managed to enter the National Assembly, voting unanimously to reject Yoon's declaration, and calling for martial law to be lifted.

Despite the parliament's vote, the South Korean military in a statement said martial law will remain in place "until lifted by president" even as protests continued.

Early on Wednesday at around 4:30 am (1930 GMT Tuesday), Yoon  abandoned his short-lived attempt to enforce martial law.

In yet another televised address, he said: "Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations."

"We will accept the National Assembly's request and lift the martial law through the Cabinet meeting," he added.

The enraged opposition called for President Yoon to step down, accusing him of insurrection.

"Even if martial law is lifted, it is impossible to avoid insurrection charges," said Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae in a statement, adding: "He must step down".

Senior aides working for the South Korean president offer to "resign en masse over martial law declaration," reports Yonhap.

South Korea's main opposition party in a statement announces that if Yoon "does not resign immediately, the Democratic Party will immediately initiate impeachment proceedings in line with the will of the people."

The party also said that it "will file charges of insurrection," against Yoon, his defence and interior ministers and "key military and police figures involved, such as the martial law commander and the police chief."