In pictures | South Korea’s martial law sparks chaos in the country

Hours after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, military troops attempted to enter the National Assembly, according to Reuters. Yoon's surprise announcement, made in an unannounced televised address, accused the opposition of "sympathising with North Korea" and "paralysing the government with anti-state activities." (AP photo)

Live TV footage showed soldiers trying to impose martial law, while opposition leaders, using fire extinguishers, resisted their entry into the Assembly building. (AP photo)

Despite Yoon's declaration, the Parliament voted to reject martial law, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it invalid. “Lawmakers will protect democracy with the people,” Shik said, calling for the withdrawal of troops and police from the Assembly grounds. (AP photo)

South Korea’s constitution mandates that a martial law declaration must be reviewed by the cabinet and approved by Parliament. The law also allows Parliament to revoke martial law by majority vote. (AP photo)

The move follows weeks of political deadlock, with Yoon’s conservative People Power Party clashing with the liberal Democratic Party over next year’s budget and impeachment motions against key prosecutors. (AP photo)

The US expressed "grave concern" over the developments, with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell urging a peaceful resolution in accordance with the rule of law. (AP photo)

The White House confirmed it was not given advance notice of Yoon's decision and is closely monitoring the situation. (AP photo)