South Koreans took to the streets on Tuesday against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration, becoming a strength for the country’s parliament which declared the decree as “invalid” following the votes by MPs. Live footage showed lawmakers blocking the gates and troops withdrawing from Parliament.

“The President should immediately lift the emergency martial law following the voting by the National Assembly,” Woo Won-sik, the chair of the National Assembly, reportedly said. “Now, emergency martial law declaration is invalid.”

He urged people to rest easy and vowed to defend democracy with the people.

Hundreds of people protested outside the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. The decree triggered a short-lived attempt by troops to enter parliament.

Earlier, live television footage showed helmeted troops apparently tasked with imposing martial law attempting to enter the assembly building, and parliamentary aides were seen trying to push the soldiers back by spraying fire extinguishers.