• Indeed, for a period of time on May –, it appeared that reason might
prevail. There were no demonstrations of significance in Seoul on May ,
and a hopeful feeling grew that perhaps the crisis had passed. The National
Assembly was scheduled to meet on May , and speculation was high that
it would call on the government to enact the necessary reforms and lift
martial law. President Choi, who was on an official visit to the Middle East,
cut short his trip and returned to Seoul on May because of the growing
crisis. There was hope that this meant some sort of reconciliation was on
the horizon. Unfortunately just the opposite was about to happen.