South Korea is reeling after a whiplash eight hours during which the country’s embattled president declared martial law but was forced to lift it amid widespread condemnation, throwing the country’s political landscape into chaos and uncertainty.

South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, asking the armed forces to suspend normal democratic freedoms, for example being able to protest. Yoon said martial law was needed because of threats from North Korea. But critics say Yoon wanted to use martial law as a response to scandals and problems he faces.