Inside the Violence at the National Assembly: Protesters and Troops Clash During Martial Law Declaration

On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing the need to “eradicate pro-North Korea anti-state forces and safeguard the constitutional order of freedom.” The martial law was nullified early Wednesday morning after the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding its repeal. However, the situation at the National Assembly during this period reportedly descended into chaos.

The scenes at and around the National Assembly resembled a battlefield. Following the declaration, armed soldiers carrying rifles entered the National Assembly premises via helicopter.

Aides from the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, barricaded the main entrance of the building with desks and chairs to prevent the troops from entering. Witnesses reported hearing urgent cries such as “Special forces are about to breach,” “Male aides, come out,” and “The main building is about to be overrun.”

During this tense standoff, the resolution to lift martial law was passed in a National Assembly session with 190 lawmakers present and all voting in favor. The vote included 172 opposition lawmakers and 18 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party’s faction aligned with Han Dong Hoon. Following the vote, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik assured citizens, saying, “You can rest assured now.”

As of 2 a.m., Wednesday, the presidential office had not released any statement regarding the National Assembly’s resolution. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the area around the National Assembly in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District was chaotic as security personnel barred unauthorized individuals from entering for safety reasons. A massive crowd, including National Assembly staff, aides, journalists, YouTubers, and citizens, quickly gathered, creating a disorderly scene. Supporters from opposing political camps also staged loud protests, adding to the confusion.

When the armed troops attempted to enter the National Assembly’s main building, the atmosphere became even more volatile. Some aides shouted, “Block them, block them!” while others reportedly sprayed fire extinguishers at the troops in a desperate bid to stop their advance.

Opposition aides were heard saying, “We will protect our workplace,” and “Where do you think you’re going?” as they physically blocked the troops. During this intense standoff, some Democratic Party lawmakers urged Speaker Woo to expedite the tabling process and pass the resolution to lift martial law.

Even after the resolution was passed, the standoff between aides and troops continued. Some aides reportedly addressed the armed soldiers, saying, “Thank you for your service in protecting the nation, but please withdraw now. Otherwise, you risk becoming rebels. Return to your bases.” Following these remarks, the troops began to withdraw.

Approximately 280 troops, including special forces, had entered the National Assembly premises on Tuesday night following Yoon’s declaration of martial law. On Wednesday, Kim Min Ki, Secretary-General of the National Assembly Secretariat, held a press conference, stating, “The National Assembly Secretariat has issued a full ban on unauthorized access to the premises by the Ministry of National Defense, military personnel, and the National Assembly security forces.”

Photos released from the scene showed fire extinguishers placed throughout the National Assembly, reportedly to deter the armed troops. When these extinguishers were deployed, the main building’s interior filled with fire suppressant powder, creating a chaotic scene. The unprecedented confrontation revealed the stark reality of the situation as the armed forces clashed with those trying to resist their entry.

The standoff lasted about two hours, causing significant damage to the National Assembly. Troops wearing helmets, masks, and bulletproof vests and carrying firearms broke through glass windows on the second floor leading to the office of the People Power Party’s policy chief. This triggered a confrontation, with National Assembly staff using fire extinguishers to repel the troops, turning the area into a battlefield.

The armed standoff also damaged some parts of the National Assembly. Kim Min Ki, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, confirmed injuries among a few individuals and stated, “We need to assess the extent of the injuries further.” He added, “We will conduct a thorough investigation into the damage caused during the troops’ entry and take all legal measures available to us.”

The sight of armed troops and firearms inside the National Assembly sparked outrage among citizens. Online, netizens reacted strongly, saying, “Whoever gave the order to storm the National Assembly must be held accountable,” and “The military, which should protect the people, pointed guns at its citizens—this cannot be tolerated.” Many demanded severe punishment for those responsible.