South Korean Parliament Blocks President's Martial Law; China Restricts Critical Minerals to U.S.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country’s parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. The South Korean parliament has voted to defy the president and immediately lift his martial law declaration. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced on Tuesday that China will further tighten the export of several critical minerals destined for the United States—a day after Washington tightened restrictions on Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. The move bans the export of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States. President-elect Donald Trump said he will attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which underwent extensive restorations following a devastating fire in 2019. This will be Trump’s first trip abroad since he won the Nov. 5 presidential election.