South Korea's Presidential Crisis: Martial Law

Edited by Umar-Mark Victor

The recent events in South Korea have left the nation reeling. President Yoon Suk Yeol's shocking declaration of martial law, followed by its swift overturn, has sparked widespread protests, calls for impeachment, and a deepening divide within the country.

As we delve into the details of this crisis, it's essential to understand the context that led to this point. Yoon's presidency has been marked by controversy and polarization, with his conservative policies alienating many liberals and progressives. The opposition parties have accused Yoon of being authoritarian, divisive, and out of touch with the people.

The martial law declaration was made on Tuesday night, with Yoon calling the parliament a "den of criminals" and vowing to eliminate "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces".¹ However, the move was short-lived, as the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak on Wednesday.

The opposition parties have been pushing for Yoon's impeachment, accusing him of attempting a self-coup. The impeachment motion required a two-thirds majority, or 200 out of 300 votes, but it failed to pass as most lawmakers from Yoon's conservative governing party boycotted the vote.

The protests against Yoon's martial law declaration have been intense, with tens of thousands of people gathering in front of the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans, and demanding Yoon's resignation or impeachment. Yoon has since apologized for the martial law declaration, saying he won't shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose martial law.

However, the opposition parties are not satisfied with the apology and are pushing for his impeachment. The situation in South Korea is still unfolding, but it's clear that Yoon's presidency is hanging by a thread.

The Role of the Ruling Party

In a surprising turn of events, the ruling party chief, Han Dong-hun, has backed suspending Yoon's powers following his martial law declaration.² This move raises the chances of impeachment, as concerns grow over Yoon's actions posing risks to citizens and the country's international standing.

Han has stated that Yoon poses a "significant risk of extreme actions, like reattempting to impose martial law, which could potentially put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger". This statement highlights the growing concern within the ruling party about Yoon's leadership and the potential consequences of his actions.

As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that Yoon's presidency is at a crossroads. The opposition parties are pushing for his impeachment, while the ruling party is divided on how to proceed.

If Yoon is impeached, he would be suspended until the Constitutional Court rules on whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential power. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take over presidential responsibilities in the interim.

The main liberal opposition Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, has stated that it's crucial to suspend Yoon as "quickly as possible". Lee has also criticized Yoon's martial law enforcement as "rebellion and also a self-coup," causing serious damage to the country's image and paralyzing foreign policy.

As the situation in South Korea continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of Yoon's presidency hangs in the balance. Will he be able to weather the storm and remain in office, or will the opposition parties succeed in their push for impeachment? Only time will tell.