The South Korean Parliament has lifted the state of emergency that was imposed by the president.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the declaration of a state of emergency during a televised address on the evening of December 3. This was reported by the Yonhap news agency.

According to him, the imposition of a state of emergency is linked to opposition attempts to initiate impeachment proceedings against key government figures and officials, including the Attorney General. The President also mentioned cuts to the budget for drug enforcement and military payments, which have led South Korea to "face a public order crisis." He promised to address anti-state forces in the near future.

In a state of emergency, political activities and protests are prohibited in the country, and media freedoms are restricted, with their operations coming under government control.

On its part, the South Korean Ministry of Defense announced that it held a meeting with key military commanders and issued an order to enhance readiness and security measures throughout the army.

However, the opposition "Democratic Party of Korea" holds a majority in parliament and can annul the president's decree. Following the president's address, party leader Lee Jae-myung called on supporters to gather at the parliament in Seoul, where protesters began to assemble near the building.

Military vehicles appeared on the streets of Seoul, and helicopters were spotted in the sky. Some landed on the roof of parliament, according to AFP. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung urged the military not to comply with the state of emergency, deeming it "unconstitutional."

At the same time, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the conservative "People Power Party," which includes the current president, called the decision to declare a state of emergency "wrong" and promised to "stop it together with the people."

The military command forces, led by General Pak An-soo, entered the parliament building, Reuters reports. Photos published by the agency show military personnel attempting to breach the main hall of parliament, but they are met with fire extinguishers.

According to Yonhap, South Korean lawmakers managed to enter the parliament surrounded by security forces and voted to annul the state of emergency.

Shortly thereafter, Yonhap reported that the troops were leaving the National Assembly (parliament) building.

The last time a state of emergency was declared in South Korea was in 1979, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee.