What unfolded on Tuesday night in Seoul: A timeline

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at 10:23 p.m.; shortly after 1 a.m., parliament voted to lift it.

South Korea witnessed one of its most dramatic political events in recent years from late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, when President Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared emergency martial law, citing "anti-state forces plotting rebellion."

The crisis lasted over six hours, with the first 157 minutes being the most tense, as lawmakers gathered at the National Assembly in the face of armed troops to vote to nullify the decree to impose military rule. By around 4:30 a.m., Yoon's martial law decree had been officially lifted.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened in Seoul over the course of the night, until Wednesday afternoon:

10:23 p.m., Dec. 3

President Yoon declares emergency martial law in a televised address.

10:40 p.m.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea calls for an emergency parliamentary session. Chair Rep. Lee Jae-myung urges all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly to begin the official process of revoking the martial law decree. Ruling party Chair Han Dong-hoon, heading to parliament, joins the call to nullify the decree.

11:00 p.m.

Martial law takes effect.

11:14 p.m.

Speaker Woo Won-shik arrives at the Assembly. Other lawmakers continue to arrive, some jumping over the Assembly fence to get around the police barricades.

Around midnight

The number of lawmakers present exceeds 150, meeting the requirement for quorum. The Assembly's main chamber is blocked from the inside. Military helicopters land on the premises, as a special operations unit arrives.

12:27 a.m., Dec. 4

Armed troops attempt to enter the Assembly building, clashing with lawmakers, aides and staff.

12:38 a.m.

Some troops breach the Assembly's main building.

12:48 a.m.

The plenary session begins.

1:01 a.m.

The motion to end martial law is introduced.

1:04 a.m.

The motion is passed with unanimous support. The speaker says the martial law decree is null and void.

From 1:10 a.m. onward

Armed forces begin leaving the Assembly building.

4:26 a.m.

Yoon says he will drop the martial law in his second nationally televised address in less than seven hours.

4:31 a.m.

South Korean troops return to their bases as Yoon agrees to lift martial law.

4:40 a.m.

Yoon's martial law decree is officially declared lifted, following an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Around 6 a.m.

South Korean opposition parties call for the immediate impeachment of Yoon, ruling party Chair Han Dong-hoon calls on him to dismiss the defense minister and for accountability on what happened.

Around 8:20 a.m.

Yoon postpones plan to preside over meeting on drug control at his office.

Around 9:30 a.m.

All of Yoon's senior aides including Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk offer to resign en masse.

11 a.m.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presides over a meeting with Cabinet members at the Government Complex Seoul. All Cabinet members there express their intention to resign.

11:10 a.m.

Democratic Party expresses its bid to accuse Yoon of insurrection and push ahead to impeach Yoon.

2 p.m.

Prime Minister Han, high-level People Power Party officials and Yoon's aides gather at Han's office in Seoul.

2:40 p.m.

Six opposition parties float an impeachment motion targeting Yoon at the National Assembly.

5 p.m.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minster Han Duck-soo and People Power Party chair Han Dong-hoon meet at the presidential office.

5:45 p.m.

Democratic Party files motion to impeach Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.