South Koreans went to offices, businesses and schools as usual on Wednesday with scarcely any visible signs in the capital Seoul that six hours of surprise martial law and high political drama overnight had spilled into everyday life.

In a stunning move that threw the nation into turmoil, South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, invoked martial law on Tuesday, only to reverse course six hours later. The decree, which brought temporary military control and the suspension of civilian government activities and civil liberties,

South Korea spent about six hours under martial law after President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a sudden, shocking declaration that harkened to the country's past dictatorships. Troops surrounded parliament after Yoon accused pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared the martial law declaration “invalid,” with parliament standing firm in its promise to “protect democracy with the people.” The military presence was withdrawn around 4:30 a.

Yoon Suk Yeol announced the measure in an surprise late night TV address.