Martial Law Declaration Foiled in South Korea, International Backlash Follows

Soon after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, national and international backlash started pouring in.

According to reports by news organisations, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was due to hold a summit with Yoon this week, decided to skip the meeting. "Given the recent developments, we have decided to postpone the visit," Yeol spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Yoon declared martial law in a live TV address late on Tuesday night, but his decision was reversed hours later after the parliament defied police and special forces cordons to vote to block the move.

The United States, South Korea's main ally, too postponed meetings of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and military exercises, news organisations reported. The NCG was an effort by Yoon for South Korean to play significant role in planning with allies over a potential nuclear war in the region, given that North Korean is a nuclear power.

The U.S. and South Korean are close allies and the U.S. stations sizable number of its military strength in the region in support of South Korea. South Korea is known for its technology and it is home to Hyundai Motors and many other big international brands. South Korean parliament is scheduled to vote on the impeachment of President Yeol this week.