South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol says he will lift martial law after parliament voted to block it.

The country has been in the grip of a political crisis after the President suddenly declared military rule in a late night move.

He said it was intended to protect the country from North Korean communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.

Less than two hours after his declaration, MPs defied the president, gathering at the National Assembly and voting to block his imposition of the law.

According to BBC News, President Yoon stated, “After the National Assembly’s demand to lift martial law, martial law troops have been withdrawn. I will accept the National Assembly’s demand and lift martial law through a cabinet meeting.”

Demonstrators gathered outside parliament to protest the sudden introduction of military rule and are now celebrating its equally sudden reversal.