Turmoil in South Korea after president declares martial law

United opposition from national assembly forces troops back to barracks

- Amy Hawkins, Raphael Rashid

South Korea's rightwing president was last night forced to back down after he dramatically and unexpectedly declared martial law - only to face unanimous opposition from the country's national assembly after the most serious challenge to the country's democracy since the 1980s.

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late yesterday amid a dispute with opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities.

After some of the tensest hours in the country's recent history, Yoon said troops would return to their barracks and the order would be lifted following a cabinet meeting.

"Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the national assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations," Yoon said in an early morning televised address.

"We will accept the national assembly's request and lift the martial law through the cabinet meeting."

The US said it was watching events in its Asian ally - where it has 28,500 troops stationed to guard against North Korea - with "grave concern" and hoped that any political disputes would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.

South Korea's main opposition Democratic party had called the president's move "essentially a coup d'état", saying it was illegal and in violation of the country's constitution.

Legislators gathered in an emergency session of the national assembly while parliamentary aides attempted to stop armed officers entering the building - to unanimously vote against Yoon's declaration of martial law.