Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol announced Wednesday morning the lifting of martial law following a decisive vote by the National Assembly in favor of its removal on Tuesday evening. According to Qatar News Agency, President Yoon had initially declared martial law to counter what he described as threats from North Korea's communist forces and to address anti-state elements within the country. In a statement reported by Yonhap news agency, Yoon emphasized the necessity of martial law to protect the nation's freedom and safety. Despite this, the National Assembly's request to revoke martial law led to the withdrawal of troops that had been deployed to enforce it. Yoon also urged the National Assembly to cease activities he considered scandalous and detrimental to the nation's functioning, including efforts to impeach government officials. The Korean Cabinet supported the proposal to lift martial law, and the Chairman of the Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the mobilized forces had retu rned to their bases, restoring a semblance of normalcy. In the aftermath of lifting martial law, opposition members ramped up their criticism of President Yoon, with some threatening to pursue impeachment proceedings against him. Yoon defended the martial law declaration as a measure against "anti-state forces" and accused the opposition of "paralyzing" the government through proposals to dismiss public officials and reduce the national budget.