Thread by @BluRoofPolitics

For the first time since the end of military dictatorship in 1987, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law. Follow this account for live coverage.

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In a statement, Yoon claimed that the National Assembly 국회's 22 impeachment attempts of government officials and reduction of government budget amounted to "an anti-state activity that foments treason." Yoon said the emergency martial law was necessary to "protect free Republic of Korea and eliminate the pro-North Korean, anti-state forces."

In response, the opposition Democratic Party summoned its lawmakers to the National Assembly. Han Dong-hun, leader of the ruling People Power Party, also said he will stop the martial law.

South Korea's last martial law as in 1980, during which the Chun Doo-hwan dictatorship massacred hundreds in the city of Gwangju.

Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition leader, called Yoon's martial law "illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-people."

Lee: "Yoon can no longer be considered the president."

Democratic Party lawmakers are gathering at the National Assembly. The police and the security forces are physically blocking the entrance.

Ruling party leader Han Dong-hun came out in opposition to the martial law. People Power Party lawmakers all say they never received any word from the presidential office about the potential martial law.

Tanks are arriving in front of the Office of the President in Yongsan, in central Seoul.

Speaker of the Assembly Woo Won-sik in response to Yoon administration's shutdown of the National Assembly: "The Assembly is wherever the Assembly Members are. The legislature will open as soon as possible."

Military units from the Capital Defense Command is moving to the National Assembly.

General Park An-su is named as the Martial Law Commander.

Martial Law Command: Political activities are prohibited at the National Assembly and local governments.

All press and publications are under the Martial Law Command. No public assembly permitted. No warrant necessary for search, seizure, arrest and detainment.

Tanks in the streets of Seoul now.

Former president Moon Jae-in: "Korea's democracy is on the brink. The National Assembly must act swiftly to protect democracy from falling. The people should come together to give life to democracy, and add strength to the legislature so that it may function properly."

The military entered the National Assembly Hall, apparently to prevent the legislature from voting to end the martial law.

Multiple helicopters are approaching the Assembly Hall.

Approximately 150 Assembly Members are at the Assembly Hall. The legislature can vote to end the martial law. Ruling party leader Han Dong-hun reiterated his opposition to the martial law.

Seoul mayor Oh Se-hun, a leading conservative, also voiced his opposition to the martial law.

Protesters are gathering at the National Assembly Hall. So far just pushing and shoving between protesters and the military but highly tense situation. Some journalists are being allowed in.

The National Assembly emergency session is open, as enough Assembly Members entered the Hall to meet quorum. More than 150 out of 300 members need to vote for martial law to end. Military is breaking windows to enter the Hall.

Scuffle is breaking out between the military and legislative aides in the Assembly Hall as the lawmakers try to vote to end the martial law declaration.

Assembly session began with Speaker Woo Won-sik presiding.

Legislative aides are barricading the Hall to protect the session from the military.

More soldiers are arriving at the Hall.

Legislative aides have barricaded the Main Hall and standing off against the military with fire extinguishers in their hands. Approximately 160 lawmakers are in the hall, are waiting for the bill to be prepared.

Former president Moon Jae-in urges the military not to join the martial law, warning that hindering the legislative process to end martial law is considered mutiny.

Although the martial law command claimed that the press is under military control, thus far TV news and the internet in South Korea is operating normally.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VOTED TO END THE MARTIAL LAW WITH ALL 190 IN ATTENDANCE VOTING IN FAVOR.

Officially speaking, the martial law ended in 2 hours and 48 minutes. Remains to see whether Yoon and the military will follow.

Helicopters appear to be leaving the Assembly Hall.

Military began leaving the Assembly Hall.

Although the law requires Yoon to declare the end of martial law, there is no response yet from the Office of the President.

Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung: "We are not leaving the Assembly Hall until the president declares the end of the martial law."

Lee: "The martial law was void ab initio, and the National Assembly confirmed it was invalid. I will remind the police and the military that following the illegal orders of the president is itself a crime. Please remain in your station and uphold your duties."

Speaker of the Assembly Woo Won-sik sent an official notice to the president demanding the end of martial law.

Gyeonggi-do Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon: "This was a coup attempt by Yoon that ended in two hours." Kim is one of the leading liberal contenders for the next presidency.