Citizens watch news coverage of President Yoon Suk Yeol's announcement on lifting martial law in the waiting area of Seoul Station, Wednesday. Newsis

President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly canceled his public schedule on Wednesday in the aftermath of the martial law crisis, with no updates or activities reported from his office as of this morning.

A presidential office official confirmed that a scheduled meeting on combating drug crimes, initially set for 10 a.m. at the Yongsan presidential office, had been postponed.

The meeting aimed to address the growing societal impact of widespread drug distribution among youth and university students but was canceled, likely due to the backlash stemming from the martial law situation.

Since the martial law crisis unfolded late on Dec. 3, where Yoon cited a need to "eradicate shameless pro-North anti-state forces threatening freedom and constitutional order," key aides have refrained from engaging with the press.

Participants chant slogans calling for the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol during an emergency citizens' rally at the May 18 Democracy Square in Gwangju, Wednesday, following the lifting of martial law six hours after its declaration. Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.