South Korea’s political landscape is heating up as legislators prepare to vote on a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for the second time. This comes in the wake of allegations surrounding his controversial martial law decree issued on December 3rd, which has sparked significant unrest across the nation.
Just last week, Yoon narrowly escaped a similar fate thanks to a boycott from most members of his party, the People Power Party, during the National Assembly’s vote. Whether those legislators will stand together again remains uncertain, especially as public protests against Yoon have intensified and his approval ratings have plummeted.
Despite frigid temperatures, tens of thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets of Seoul every night for the past two weeks, calling for Yoon’s removal and arrest. These protests have been marked by vibrant displays, including chants, songs, and colorful K-pop light sticks held aloft. At the same time, smaller gatherings of Yoon’s conservative supporters, numbering in the thousands, have rallied against the impeachment efforts, with both sides largely maintaining peaceful conduct.
One demonstrator, 29-year-old Hong Gayeong, expressed that the use of K-pop light sticks, despite their cost, has fostered a sense of community and cultural expression among protestors. “People are bringing their most treasured and bright possessions to show their will and opinions,” she remarked.
The martial law imposed by Yoon marked a significant moment, as it was the first instance in over 40 years that such measures were enacted. Although the law lasted only six hours, it threw the political system into disarray, disrupted diplomatic activities, and rattled financial markets. Yoon ultimately withdrew his decree after the Assembly unanimously voted to overturn it.
Following the declaration, Yoon sent troops and police to the parliament to attempt to block the vote, though they retreated after the decision was made without any violence erupting.
Opposition parties, along with many analysts, accuse Yoon of insurrection, arguing that his actions constitute a rebellion against the established government and undermine the Constitution. They assert that a South Korean president can only declare martial law during war or severe emergencies and cannot suspend National Assembly activities, even under martial law.
The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of “committing a rebellion that jeopardizes the peace of the Republic of Korea by orchestrating disturbances.” It further claims that his deployment of military and police forces threatened both the Assembly and the general public, aiming to disrupt constitutional order.
In a passionate address on Thursday, Yoon rejected the insurrection charges, referring to his actions as part of effective governance. He claimed his intent was to send a warning to the major liberal opposition, the Democratic Party, which he labeled a “monster” and a force against the state for allegedly abusing its legislative power to remove high-ranking officials and obstruct the government’s budget for the next fiscal year.
“I will fight until the end to prevent the criminal forces that have paralyzed this country and disturbed our constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon declared.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, dismissed Yoon’s statements as a “mad declaration of war” against his own citizens. The Democratic Party and other opposition groups hold a majority in the 300-member parliament but fall short of the two-thirds majority required to pass the impeachment motion.
As investigations unfold related to Yoon’s actions during the martial law incident, he is barred from leaving the country. Should he be found guilty of rebellion or abuse of power, serious penalties await him, including life imprisonment.
If the National Assembly advances the impeachment motion, Yoon’s presidential powers would be suspended pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court. Should he be removed, a new election will be needed within 60 days to choose his successor.
Although Yoon enjoys some legal protections while in office, these do not extend to charges of rebellion or treason. As such, he could face criminal investigations, arrest, or charges linked to his martial law decree. Nevertheless, many observers are skeptical that authorities would forcibly detain him, given the potential backlash from his presidential security team.
Several high-ranking officials, including his Minister of Defense and the chief of police, have already been arrested in connection with this case, alongside ongoing investigations into other military and government leaders.
