Following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected attempt to establish martial law earlier this week, opposition MPs from South Korea have started impeachment processes against him. Wednesday’s hitherto unheard-of political spectacle left the nation in a state of anxiety.
Yoon first imposed martial law amid a night of turbulent events, which set off a quick and strong opposition response. Six hours later, around 190 legislators convened at the National Assembly to reject the judgment, reversing the sequence. As opposition leaders unveiled an impeachment motion, accusing Yoon of “insurrectionary behavior,” political unrest continued to develop.
In what ways did the Democratic Party criticize martial law as endangering democracy?
The main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, has denounced Yoon’s conduct as directly endangering the nation’s democracy. “We cannot let democracy fall apart. Kim Yong-jin, a central committee Democratic Party member, said, “The lives and safety of the people must be protected.”
The opposition has also demanded that criminal charges be leveled against the president. They especially want Yoon charged with “crimes of rebellion,” listing Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and Minister Kim Yong-hyun as “key participants” in the martial law decision, also requesting their prosecution.
Why Does the Ruling Party Oppose Impeachment, and How Can It Pass?
President Yoon belongs to the ruling People Power Party of South Korea, which has fiercely objected to the impeachment motion. The ruling party is ready to support Yoon against the impeachment, said Yonhap news agency.
If it succeeds, the opposition must persuade at least eight of the 108 governing party legislators to back the impeachment motion. However, none of the ruling party members were present when the motion was proposed at the National Assembly early on Thursday.
On Wednesday, life in Seoul mostly returned to normal despite the continuous political strife; government offices, banks, and schools were running as usual. Still, demonstrations asking for the president’s resignation erupted throughout the city. As demonstrators crowded the streets, “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!” they yelled.
How Are Workers Uniting for Mass Protests Against Yoon and Strikes?
The biggest labor group in South Korea, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), declared intentions to go on indefinite strike until President Yoon leaves office. This action emphasizes the mounting unhappiness among the working class and more general society against the president’s policies.
The political consequences persisted when Kim Yong-Hyun, the Defense Minister, quit and accepted full responsibility for the martial law announcement. He apologized in public for confusing and upsetting the people.
Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk and National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik, among Yoon’s top advisers, also tendered their resignations. Still waiting to be discovered whether Yoon will accept these resignations given the growing strain inside his ministry.
What preceded the Reversal of Martial Law and the Chaos in the National Assembly?
Overnight, the martial law scenario changed dramatically as military personnel stormed the National Assembly in reaction to Yoon’s statement. Military helicopters swooped around the area as opposition legislators hurried to the Assembly; others broke through fences and tore down barriers to vote down the martial law decree.
Recounting the disorderly scene, Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-Shik said he hurried to parliament and resolved to defend the democracy of his nation. “We must protect democracy,” he claimed, justifying his fence climbing to access the voting chamber.
Following hours of tense standoff, 190 legislators broke through police lines. They pushed inside the Assembly to vote against the martial law order, indicating a triumph for the opposition.
Thousands of demonstrators demanding the president’s resignation have assembled outside the Assembly gates. One woman was even seen on camera defying convention and seizing a soldier’s weapon. “I was scared at first…but seeing such confrontation, I thought, ‘I can’t stay silent.'” remarked a Democratic Party spokesman.
Yoon’s government dropped the martial law order in relief for the demonstrators. Cheers from the people gathered outside the Assembly greeted the reversal, ending a troubling chapter in South Korean politics.
How did Yoon defend Martial Law, and what national security issues worried him?
In a statement released after the reversal, President Yoon clarified that his declaration of martial law was taken out of national security-related concern. Yoon remarked, stressing that the action was a required step to maintain stability, “I was worried about North Korean communist forces taking power in the country.”
Arguing that the order aimed at “minimizing damage” to the economy and public safety amid a crisis and followed South Korea’s constitutional framework, the presidential office supported Yoon’s action.
Regarding Yoon's Martial Law Declaration, what are the international responses and rising issues?
Reacting with great worry to the occurrences, the international community, including US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, expressed “grave concern” over the circumstances. Quick to greet the revoked martial law decree, the US and NATO chief Mark Rutte hailed the choice. “It demonstrated a dedication to the rule of law,” Rutte added, underlining once more the close ties of the alliance with South Korea.
What might happen if the impeachment process results in a presidential suspension?
Once an impeachment measure is presented under South Korea’s constitution, two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly has to vote in support of the impeachment for it to pass. That calls for at least 200 votes. The voting has to take place seventy-two hours following the suggested motion.
Should the impeachment pass, the prime minister will become interim president, and President Yoon will be promptly suspended from office. The impeachment will subsequently be upheld after a trial before the Constitutional Court. The procedure can last up to 180 days; the president will be removed from office if six of the nine court members vote to uphold the impeachment.
What lessons on presidential impeachment from South Korea's past might guide us?
Presidential impeachments have a long history in South Korea; two prominent instances from recent years are discussed here. Following allegations of bribery, misuse of state authority, and leakage of state secrets, President Park Geun-hye was impeachment-bound in 2016. President Roh Moo-hyun was impeachment-bound in 2004 but restored following a two-month suspension.
Should Yoon be impeached or resign, the government must call a new presidential election within sixty days to choose a new leader starting a fresh five-year term.
Why did Yoon declare martial law, and what is the constitutional history of South Korea in this regard?
Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law in response to armed conflict, war, or other national crises. Martial law was last enforced in the nation in 1979 following the murder in a coup of dictator Park Chung-hee.
Under General Chun Doo-hwan, a group of military officers instituted martial law in 1980, which resulted in extensive arrests and a fatal crackdown on demonstrators.
Martial law was revoked in 1981; since the nation moved to parliamentary democracy in 1987, it has not invoked such authority.
Why Do Analysts Wonder Yoon's Motives Amid His Political Conflicts?
Critics have asked whether Yoon’s martial law ruling was meant to be an attempt to silence political dissent or really about national security. Following the opposition’s apparent triumph in the general elections in April, Yoon’s government has battled to pass meaningful legislation, depending instead on vetoing proposals put up by the opposition.
With his approval ratings falling to a record-low 17%, many controversies surrounding Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, have eclipsed his leadership. This political unrest begs whether the martial law declaration was an attempt to solidify control in the face of mounting resistance.
