National Assembly Unanimously Passes Martial Law Lift Proposal... "Martial Law Is Invalid" (Comprehensive)

Martial Troops Entering the National Assembly Main Building Begin Withdrawal

On the 4th, the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift martial law. The martial law troops that had entered the National Assembly main building began to withdraw.

On that day, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed the resolution to lift martial law with the unanimous approval of all 190 members present.

Article 77, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution states that when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law with the approval of the majority of its members, the President must lift it. Approval from 150 members is sufficient. Immediately after the resolution was passed, the National Assembly declared that "the proclamation of martial law is invalid."

This resolution was supported not only by opposition parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea and the Party for National Innovation but also by some members of the People Power Party.

Opposition lawmakers stated regarding martial law that "President Yoon Seok-yeol must immediately lift martial law," adding that "this is an obligation."

Paratroopers and other forces who had attempted to enter the National Assembly main building using helicopters and other means are currently leaving the premises.

Immediately after the resolution was passed, Speaker Woo declared, "The President must immediately lift the emergency martial law," and "the proclamation of emergency martial law is now invalid." He continued, "The National Assembly will protect democracy together with the people," and requested, "Military and police personnel who have entered the premises should leave the National Assembly."

According to the Martial Law Act, when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law, it must be lifted without delay. However, Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the Martial Law Act states that the lifting of martial law requires deliberation by the State Council.

Meanwhile, President Yoon held a briefing at the Presidential Office around 10:30 p.m. the previous night, stating, "To protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state forces who plunder the freedom and happiness of our people at once, and to uphold the free constitutional order, I hereby proclaim emergency martial law."