(Photo gallery) Less than martial: the South Korean political crisis in pictures

SEOUL: Whatever South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol thought of when he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday (Nov 4), it didn’t work.

Less than 24 hours later, he has revoked the martial law after lawmakers defied him, and his own position now is in jeopardy.

South Koreans hold signs reading “Expulsion of Yoon Suk Yeol” during a rally in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People try to enter as police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Armed South Korean soldiers leave the National Assembly as the parliament votes to defy President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in Seoul, South Korea, early on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Yoon stunned voters, lawmakers and investors by declaring martial law on Tuesday after accusing the opposition of trying to paralyze his administration amid a political rift that is set to deepen markedly. Photographer: Woohae Cho/Bloomberg

A man picks up an extra edition newspaper displayed at a subway gate in downtown Seoul on December 4, 2024, after martial law was lifted. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol abandoned a short-lived attempt at martial law on December 4, after lawmakers defied security forces to vote against his declaration and thousands of protesters took to the streets. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Morning commuters ride a subway train in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. South Korea’s currency recovered while its stocks fell in early trading Wednesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law amid a political tussle, before moving to rescind the decree just hours later. Photographer: Tina Hs

Policemen stand guard at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul on December 4, 2024, after martial law was lifted. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol abandoned a short-lived attempt at martial law on December 4, after lawmakers defied security forces to vote against his declaration and thousands of protesters took to the streets. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)