Nick Shiffrin:
A senior administration official, Mr. Jeff, told me tonight that the United States had told South Korean officials that Mr. Yoon’s declaration was — quote — “untenable” and called on him to immediately retract it. That’s true. And officials have warned that Mr. Yun may not be able to survive the incident, which could threaten the stability of one of America’s most important allies.
Tonight in Seoul, they attacked the facility they were sworn to protect. Special forces soldiers operating under martial law engaged demonstrators and prevented opposition politicians from entering parliament. Inside, the only thing blocking soldiers’ access from the Capitol was furniture deployed by opposition officials.
This allowed Parliament to reject the martial law declaration by a vote of 190-0, and it was not just opposition leaders who live-streamed themselves jumping the fence to get to Parliament, but also leaders of Mr. Yun’s own party. This is the measure he requested, and stated as follows: —QUOTE—“The President’s declaration of martial law is wrong. Together with the people, we will stop it.”
Security forces then stormed out of the Capitol. Demonstrators celebrated the battle and Yun rescinded his declaration.
