How long did South Korea's martial law last in December 2024 before parliament voted to lift it?

South Korea experienced a remarkably brief period of martial law in December 2024, lasting approximately six hours. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on the evening of December 3, 2024, at 10:27 PM Korea Standard Time (KST). His televised address accused the opposition-controlled National Assembly of "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists" to undermine the country, describing their dominance as a "legislative dictatorship." The declaration suspended political activities, including parliamentary sessions, and imposed restrictions on the press.

However, the declaration faced immediate and widespread condemnation. Members of the National Assembly, including some from President Yoon's own party, quickly gathered despite attempts by military forces to prevent their entry. At 1:02 AM on December 4, 2024, the parliament unanimously passed a motion to lift martial law. Under the South Korean Constitution, the president is required to comply with such a request from the National Assembly.

In response to the parliamentary vote and public outcry, President Yoon formally lifted the martial law at 4:30 AM KST on December 4, 2024. This swift reversal marked a significant moment in South Korea's democratic history, as it was the first time martial law had been declared since 1980. The rapid and unified rejection by the legislature and the public underscored the strength of the country's democratic institutions in the face of what many characterized as an attempted self-coup.