South Korea’s Yoon Faces Impeachment Threat Over Martial Law

South Korea’s Yoon Faces Impeachment Threat Over Martial Law \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party has demanded President Yoon Suk Yeol resign or face impeachment after his abrupt imposition of martial law, which was swiftly overturned by parliament. The unprecedented six-hour martial law deployment, seen as unconstitutional, drew sharp criticism and comparisons to the country’s military-backed past. Yoon’s declaration escalates tensions amid legislative gridlock, with the U.S. expressing serious concerns.

South Korea’s Democracy Tested: Quick Looks

• Martial Law Imposed and Overturned: President Yoon declared emergency martial law, lasting just six hours before parliament lifted it.
• Opposition Outcry: The Democratic Party called it unconstitutional, urging resignation or impeachment proceedings.
• Parliament’s Role: Lawmakers voted 190-0 to reject the decree, including members of Yoon’s own party.
• Historical Context: Martial law, not seen in South Korea since the 1980s, evoked memories of military-backed rule.
• U.S. Response: The White House expressed concern and said it wasn’t informed of the martial law beforehand.
• Political Impasse: Yoon faces increasing pressure amid a budget standoff and attempts to impeach top prosecutors.

Deep Look

South Korea’s political tensions reached a boiling point this week as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, marking the first such action in over 40 years. The short-lived decree, enacted Tuesday night, sparked immediate outrage from the opposition Democratic Party and raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country. Within six hours, the National Assembly overturned the order, formally lifting it during an early morning Cabinet meeting.

The Martial Law and Its Fallout

President Yoon justified the imposition of martial law as necessary to combat what he termed “anti-state forces” obstructing his agenda in the opposition-controlled parliament. Under the South Korean constitution, martial law is reserved for extreme situations such as war or national emergencies, allowing the military to curtail freedoms like press and assembly to maintain order. However, critics argue that the current political gridlock does not meet these criteria.

Yoon’s actions immediately prompted troops and police to surround the National Assembly, restricting access while protesters gathered outside. Military helicopters landed on the Assembly grounds, evoking scenes reminiscent of South Korea’s military-backed regimes of the past. These events culminated in a unanimous 190-0 parliamentary vote to lift the martial law, with even some lawmakers from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party joining the rejection.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik lauded the parliamentary response, noting that South Koreans had witnessed both the troubling return of military intervention and the democratic resilience needed to counter it.

Opposition Calls for Resignation or Impeachment

In the wake of these events, the Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, called for President Yoon’s immediate resignation. Labeling the martial law decree a “grave act of rebellion,” the party argued it violated constitutional requirements and presented grounds for impeachment. Impeachment would require a two-thirds majority vote in the 300-seat Assembly, needing support from at least eight more lawmakers beyond the opposition coalition.

Should Yoon be impeached, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential duties until the Constitutional Court rules on Yoon’s status.

Historical Resonance and International Concern

Yoon’s martial law declaration has drawn parallels to South Korea’s authoritarian past, when military-backed governments used similar measures to suppress dissent. Such actions have not been seen since the country transitioned to democracy in the late 1980s. Critics, including Natalia Slavney of the Stimson Center’s 38 North program, described the episode as a “serious backslide of democracy,” noting a concerning trend of political overreach under Yoon’s administration.

The incident also caught the attention of the international community. The White House expressed its “serious concern” and noted it was not informed in advance of Yoon’s declaration. Pentagon officials confirmed that the martial law had no impact on the 27,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Political Impasse and Rising Tensions

Yoon’s government is locked in an impasse with the Democratic Party over key issues, including next year’s budget and opposition-led efforts to impeach three top prosecutors. In a televised address, Yoon referred to the opposition as “pro-North Korean anti-state forces,” though he did not provide evidence to support these claims.

The president’s swift and contentious actions have intensified scrutiny of his leadership. Observers note similarities to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, who was ousted over corruption charges. Park’s removal followed months of mass protests, a reminder of South Korea’s robust tradition of political accountability.

A Divided Government and Uncertain Future

Yoon’s declaration of martial law has further polarized South Korea’s political landscape. The ruling People Power Party is now urging Yoon to provide a detailed explanation and reconsider the role of Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly recommended the martial law. The Defense Ministry has yet to comment on its involvement.

As South Korea grapples with the fallout of this unprecedented political move, questions remain about the president’s ability to govern effectively amid increasing resistance. While Yoon has not responded to calls for his resignation, his office confirmed that senior advisers have offered to resign collectively, signaling internal disarray.

This episode underscores the challenges of governance in a deeply divided political environment, with implications for South Korea’s democratic stability. The days ahead will determine whether Yoon can navigate this crisis or face the consequences of his controversial decisions.

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