South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol triggered the country’s biggest political crisis in decades Tuesday night when he abruptly imposed martial law, only to backtrack less than six hours later in the face of fierce opposition in parliament — including inside his own party — and from the public.

SEOUL, South Korea — Soldiers dispatched to South Korea’s parliament building to enforce President Yoon Suk Yeol’s abrupt martial law decree Tuesday night grew confused as the attempt evaporated in the face of legislative resistance.