South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation when he declared martial law and called in troops to secure the National Assembly building where parliament sits. The announcement sent citizens streaming to the streets on a cold December night to call for Yoon to resign and martial law to be lifted.

Candle-lit vigils and rallies were held across South Korea on Wednesday, a nation outraged and frustrated by the president’s surprise declaration of martial law the night before called for his resignation.

U.S. officials have expressed "grave concern" over an incident of martial law being declared this week in South Korea.