In the uncertain hours early Wednesday, many recalled the nation’s last martial law, which came after a coup installed a military dictator and triggered a deadly uprising.

Last year, a political blockbuster gripped South Korea with a dramatization of a painful memory from its authoritarian past, when the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979 led to a military coup and plunged the country into the iron grip of martial law.

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, sparking political turmoil and international concern before its swift repeal.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea backed away from his surprise declaration of martial law hours after the decision drove thousands of protesters into the streets and prompted calls for him to resign.

Within the span of a chaotic six hours, South Korea saw its president declare emergency martial law, be denounced by his own conservative party leader, and withdraw his announcement once again, leaving the nation reeling. The last time a president declared martial law in South Korea was in 1980, seven years before the country became a democracy.

At his confirmation hearing three months ago, South Korea's defence minister Kim Yong-hyun rejected accusations from the opposition that he wanted to impose martial law. It was, the conservative hardliner said,

President Yoon Suk Yeol faces public fury and calls to resign after he imposed martial law, then backed down after Parliament voted to repeal it.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation in a televised address, declaring martial law and calling in troops to secure the National Assembly building where parliament sits

Parliamentary aides in South Korea emptied fire extinguishers on armed troops entering the national assembly as protesters took to the streets.