South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing impeachment by parliament after he declared martial law only to revoke it 6 hours later amid immense backlash.

The martial law declaration caught South Korea's political establishment and U.S. officials by surprise. Yoon rescinded the measure only after a broad coalition of lawmakers in the National Assembly − South Korea's Parliament − voted to block it and the country appeared to be heading toward wide-scale protests.

Twelve dictators and presidents prior to Yoon having been overthrown, investigated for crimes, impeached or threatened with impeachment, imprisoned, assassinated or sentenced to death since 1948.