UPDATE, via CNN: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has lifted a martial law order, just hours after his decree plunged the country into political uncertainty and sparked fierce backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Today, Congressman Andy Kim (D-03) released the following statement on the declaration of martial law by Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and the subsequent vote by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to rescind the declaration.

“The decision by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to reverse the emergency martial law was an important move to deescalate and must be respected. Challenges always arise in a democracy, but they must be solved through a democratic and open process.  Declaring martial law in the manner done undermined the fundamental foundation of governance of the people and dramatically raised South Korea’s fragility at a time when the people deserve security and stability.”

By way of context, from CNN:

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unannounced late-night TV address Tuesday, accusing the country’s main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities.

The last time a South Korean president declared martial law was in 1980, during a nationwide uprising led by students and labor unions.

In the surprise announcement, he cited a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.

Soon after, South Korean lawmakers voted to block the martial law decree, with 190 of the 300 members of parliament voting to overturn the measure.

The National Assembly chairman Woo Won-sik labeled the president’s announcement “invalid” following the unanimous vote and called on him to “immediately lift” the emergency measures.