Martial law will be lifted, South Korean President Yoon announced.

SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul announced on Wednesday that martial law would be lifted and troops withdrawn, hours after his country was shocked by the decision.

“Just a moment ago, the National Assembly called for the lifting of the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the army that was deployed for martial law operations,” Yun said in a televised address.

“We will accept the request of the National Assembly and lift martial law through the Cabinet meeting.”

In a dramatic, emergency televised address to the nation, Yun announced late Tuesday night that he was imposing martial law, accusing the opposition of crippling the government with “anti-state activities.”

However, 190 lawmakers managed to enter the assembly early Wednesday, where they voted unanimously to block the declaration of martial law and demand its lifting.

Under the constitution, martial law must be lifted when a majority in parliament demands it.

Yoon cited several reasons to justify his declaration — South Korea’s first declaration of martial law in more than 40 years.

In his first live televised address to the nation, Yoon said, “To protect a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements that rob the people of their freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yun said in his first live televised address to the nation.

Yun did not elaborate on the North’s threats, but the South is technically at war with nuclear-armed Pyongyang.