South Korea is reeling after a whiplash six 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.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s decree, and his reversal under pressure from lawmakers, were the culmination of years of feuding between the country’s two main political camps.

South Korea faced a political crisis when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, leading to massive protests and a swift reversal by the parliament. Troops surrounded the National Assembly, but lawmakers managed to convene and vote against the decree.

Officials pledged “unlimited” support to markets as traders digested the implications of South Korea’s brief declaration of martial law.

Asian markets are mostly lower after overnight political drama in South Korea added to regional uncertainties. Seoul's Kospi fell less than 2%.

South Korean shares fell on Wednesday amid the country's biggest political crisis in decades as lawmakers called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later.