|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Is President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea on the brink of removal following his controversial declaration of martial law last week?
This question looms as opposition lawmakers prepare for a second attempt at impeaching Yoon, with a vote likely to take place in parliament on Saturday. The situation has sparked political upheaval and mass protests across the country, marking one of the most turbulent weeks in recent South Korean history.
The Push for Impeachment
Yoon’s sudden martial law declaration on December 3, the first in over four decades, was reversed by parliament within six hours after a dramatic predawn session. Opposition leaders have described the decree as an “unconstitutional rebellion” and are working to secure the two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly required to pass an impeachment motion.
With 192 seats, the opposition needs at least eight members of Yoon’s conservative party to back the motion.
In a speech on Thursday, Yoon defended the martial law order as a governance decision, not an act of rebellion, vowing to “fight to the end” against impeachment and investigations into the decree. Meanwhile, Han Dong-hun, chair of the governing party and a vocal critic of Yoon, labeled the president’s remarks a “confession of rebellion” and urged party members to support the impeachment effort.
If the motion passes, Yoon would be suspended from office while the Constitutional Court determines whether to remove him. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential duties during this period.
A Chaotic Week of Arrests and Protests
The martial law declaration has prompted investigations into allegations of rebellion, abuse of power, and other crimes by Yoon and his administration. The Justice Ministry banned Yoon from leaving the country, though it remains unclear whether authorities will attempt to detain him.
Key figures connected to the decree have already faced consequences. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested for allegedly playing a central role in the martial law decision. After attempting suicide in custody, he was stabilized by correctional officers. Additionally, South Korea’s police chief and the head of Seoul’s metropolitan police were detained for deploying officers to the National Assembly during the crisis.
The fallout has also led to protests across Seoul, with thousands of demonstrators calling for Yoon’s resignation. Members of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, one of the country’s largest labor organizations, have begun staging hourly strikes.
Understanding Martial Law in South Korea
Under South Korea’s constitution, the president may declare martial law to maintain order in times of war or severe national emergency. Such a move can involve suspending civil rights, restricting press freedom, and curtailing judicial powers. However, the National Assembly retains the authority to overturn martial law with a majority vote.
In Yoon’s case, lawmakers rushed to the Assembly building upon learning of the decree, with some scaling walls to bypass a military blockade. The vote to overturn the order passed 190-0, including support from 18 members of Yoon’s party.
The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of exceeding his constitutional powers, asserting that the declaration lacked justification and violated laws prohibiting the use of the military to suspend parliamentary activities.
Yoon’s Political Struggles
Yoon has faced significant opposition since taking office in 2022, with little progress on his legislative agenda due to a parliament controlled by liberal lawmakers. Critics allege that impeachment efforts are partly motivated by political retaliation for corruption investigations into opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, a frontrunner for the 2027 presidential election.
Yoon is also embroiled in an influence-peddling scandal involving claims that he and his wife exerted undue influence over candidate selections for a parliamentary by-election. Yoon denies any wrongdoing, but the controversy has dented his approval ratings.
A Dark History of Martial Law
Martial law has a contentious history in South Korea, often associated with military coups and crackdowns on dissent. In 1961, Army Gen. Park Chung-hee staged the country’s first coup, using martial law to suppress opposition during his nearly 20-year rule. Similarly, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led a coup in 1979 and brutally suppressed a pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju the following year, killing hundreds.
The legacy of such actions has left South Koreans wary of martial law, and Yoon’s recent decree has reignited concerns over authoritarianism.
