South Korea lawmakers defy president and block martial law as crowds protest

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared emergency martial law, which he says is necessary to protect the country from North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements

Lawmakers have since voted to block the president's move, after both the ruling party and opposition vowed to obstruct the declaration

Protests have been taking place outside parliament, with the BBC's Jake Kwon hearing chants of “no to martial law” as police sirens ring out