RECAP: Australia splits from US and Israel in UN call, Aussies warned to stay awa from South Korea
From martial law in North Korea to astonishing policy shifts at the UN, there’s been plenty of huge news stories from Australia and around the world on Wednesday.
Recap the day’s events tomorrow.
Key Events
Army seen leaving National Assembly building
After President Yoon Suk Yeol announce he would listen to the parliament’s vote to revoke his martial law declaration, armed forces that had attempted to prevent law makers from entering the National Assembly building were seen walking away from their post.
When martial law could be lifted
President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a new TV address to South Korea that he will lift martial law after the parliament voted to revoke his shock decision.
Mr Yoon said he attempted to convene members to organise an official vote, however due to the early morning, he was unable to bring together a sufficient amount of law makers.
It is just after 5am in Seoul.
Shock footage of law maker climbing a fence to enter National Assembly building
Video has been broadcasted on social media of Lee Jae-myung, a member of National Assembly and leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, climbing the gates of parliament after martial law was declared.
President Yoon Suk Yeol responds to parliamentary vote
After shocking the world by declaring martial law in what some have described as a political move, not a move to protect the interest of the republic, President Yoon Suk Yeol has said he will accept the parliament’s decision to revoke martial law.
It is understood that a cabinet meeting has now been called and martial law will remain until a sufficient amount of members are available.
Parliament vote to overturn declaration of martial law
With 190 of 300 law makers president, South Korea voted to have the martial law declaration overturned.
Speaking outside the National Assembly, main opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung said “crisis is an opportunity”.
“Although this country is keep going backward, this illegal declaration of martial law will not cause it to fall into a worse situation, but will now be a decisive opportunity to break the vicious cycle and return to normal society.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address
In a late night, unscheduled TV address, President Yoon Suk Yeol initiated martial law.
“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,” Mr Yoon said.
Martial law declared
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law, throwing the republic into uncharted waters.
Making the ruling in an emergency late-night television broadcast, the president accused the opposition is sympathising with North Korea and risking the countries’ security.
The military descended as parliamentary activity was banned.
However, a defiant main opposition, the Democratic Party, raced to the republic’s National Assembly Building to vote on the president’s decision.
Lawmakers were then blocked from entering the building.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the National Assembly Building in Seoul as helicopters hovered overhead.
As parliamentarians desperately attempted to gain access to the National Assembly to have their votes counted, some were seen climbing the walls with help from the protesters.
Some 190 lawmakers managed to gain access to the building, and voted to declare the martial law order invalid.
After the parliament’s 190-0 vote to lift the declaration, the National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared that MPs “will protect democracy with the people”.
