South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backed down early Wednesday after he tossed his country into turmoil for six hours by suddenly declaring martial law and mobilizing the army.

Yoon did so in the face of nationwide defiance that erupted 155 minutes after he announced in a late-night TV address Tuesday that he was taking over, reports NBC News.

Members of parliament raced to the National Assembly building, and, with 190 of its 300 members present, they quickly passed a resolution demanding that Yoon lift his order while protesters opposed to martial law gathered outside the building and the nation's powerful unions threatened to go on strike.

Facing opposition from much of the country and even from the leadership of his own People Power Party, Yoon went back on national television to reverse his martial law declaration.

“I have accepted the decision made by the National Assembly to dissolve and lift the martial law,” Yoon said. Not long after that, People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon insisted that Yoon "personally and thoroughly explain this dire situation in detail."

It was an abrupt end to a six-hour standoff that began when Yoon, whose conservative government took office in 2022, suddenly declared martial law late Tuesday and accused opposition parties of sympathizing with North Korea and controlling parliament.

“I am declaring a state of emergency in order to protect the constitutional order based on freedom and eradicate shameful pro-North Korea anti-state groups, that are stealing freedom and happiness of our people,” Yoon said on the country’s YTN news channel. He added that it would protect the country “from the threats of North Korea’s communist forces.”

“While the imposition of martial law may cause significant inconvenience to the law-abiding citizens who uphold the constitutional values of the Republic of Korea, I will strive to minimize these disruptions,” he added. Yoon’s address was quickly followed by a proclamation from the martial law commander, Gen. Park Ahn-soo.

It said that “all political activities” would be banned and that “all media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.” “Strikes, work slowdowns, and gatherings that incite social disorder are forbidden,” it added. It also ordered ‘all medical staff’ to return to work within 48 hours.

“Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant under Article 9 of the Martial Law Act,” it said. Within minutes of the announcement, lawmakers began arriving at parliament, and in less than three hours they passed a resolution to nullify Yoon's declaration.

After the vote, National Assembly Chairman Woo Won-sik demanded that special forces leave the building and grounds of parliament. Shortly afterward, the soldiers began filing out through one of the gates.