South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday (04) that martial law will be lifted and troops withdrawn, hours after he made the shocking statement.

"A few moments ago, the National Assembly requested that we lift the state of emergency and withdraw the armed forces that were deployed for martial law operations. We will accept the National Assembly's request and lift martial law through the Council of Ministers meeting," Yoon said in a televised speech.

According to a VOASouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night. After the unexpected televised announcement, hundreds of people positioned themselves in front of the Assembly to contest the Korean leader's decision. Yeol's latest decision brought celebration among the protesters.

Martial law has been imposed in the country for nearly 40 years. The president's decision comes at a time of a stormy parliamentary debate on the budget.

Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating has fallen severely and is currently below 20%.

(Photo DR)