South Korean MPs have begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol after thwarting his shock move to impose martial law
The president had said martial law was needed to protect the country from “North Korea’s communist forces” and to “eliminate anti-state elements”
Though he cited North Korea, President Yoon’s decision was seen as a response to domestic pressure and a series of scandals
Less than two hours after his declaration, MPs forced their way into the National Assembly and voted to block his decision – some broke through barricades; the parliament’s speaker told the BBC he climbed over a wall
After the assembly vote, President Yoon announced he was reversing his martial law decision – MPs will now vote on his impeachment in the coming days
Yoon’s defence minister Kim Yong-hyun – said to be influential in the president’s martial law plan – offered his resignation on Wednesday
Meanwhile, a shocking moment was captured during the protest when woman who stood before a soldier grabbed his gun in parliament last night
The woman, identifed as Ahn Gwi-ryeong has told the BBC why she did it
“I didn’t think…I just knew we had to stop this,” the defiant woman – Ahn Gwi-ryeong – tells the BBC.
Arriving at the National Assembly just past 23:00, Ahn – a 35-year-old spokeswoman for the opposition Democratic Party – recalls turning off office lights to avoid detection, as helicopters circled overhead.
By the time she reached the main building, soldiers were confronting officials, aides, and citizens.
When the military began advancing, Ahn stepped forward.
“Honestly, I was scared at first…but seeing such confrontation, I thought, ‘I can’t stay silent.’”
Overcome with emotion, she says it is “heartbreaking and frustrating that this is happening in 21st Century Korea,” before breaking down in tears. BBC