Vigil condemning South Korean President held in downtown Seoul

People attended a candlelight vigil on Wednesday (December 4), condemning South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declaration of martial law last night, which was reversed hours later, and to call for his resignation. South Korean lawmakers submitted a bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after the declaration, triggering a political crisis in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Yoon told the nation in a television speech late on Tuesday (December 3) that martial law was needed to defend the country from pro-North Korean anti-state forces, and protect the free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats. Yoon, a career prosecutor, squeezed out a victory in the tightest presidential election in South Korean history in 2022, riding a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals and gender wars. But he has been unpopular, with his support ratings hovering at around 20% for months. There has been no reaction yet from North Korea to the drama in the South. (Production: Joe Raggett)