South Korean Opposition Submits Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon

Lawmakers from South Korea’s opposition have initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol, stemming from his unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law. The nation awoke to an unpredictable situation on Wednesday, following a night of unparalleled events that included Yoon’s unexpected imposition of martial law, 190 legislators convening to vote it down, and a swift retraction of the order approximately six hours later. Following the submission of the impeachment motion, the primary opposition Democratic Party of South Korea denounced Yoon’s initial announcement of martial law as “insurrectionary behaviour”. A parliamentary vote on Yoon’s impeachment is mandated by Saturday. Kim Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic party’s central committee, stated, “We can no longer allow democracy to collapse. The lives and safety of the people must be protected.” The Party further indicated its intention to indict Yoon for “crimes of rebellion”. It identified Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min as “key participants” in the martial law declaration, expressing a desire for them to also face charges alongside Yoon. However, South Korea’s governing People Power Party, of which Yoon is an affiliate, has consented to resist his impeachment, as reported by the nation’s Yonhap news agency. For the bill to succeed, the opposition requires the support of a minimum of eight out of 108 legislators from the ruling party. No ruling party lawmakers attended the presentation of the motion at the National Assembly during the early hours of Thursday morning. Educational institutions, financial establishments, and public administration buildings in Seoul functioned normally on Wednesday, yet demonstrations persisted across the city, calling for the president’s resignation. “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” was chanted by some irate citizens who occupied the thoroughfares. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, South Korea’s most prominent labor organization, pledged to initiate an indefinite strike until the president vacates his position. On Wednesday, Kim Yong-hyun, the nation’s defense minister, submitted his resignation and declared he would assume complete accountability for the martial law. He issued an apology to the populace for generating confusion and distress, as stated by the ministry in an official announcement. Senior advisors to Yoon, such as chief of staff Chung Jin-suk and national security adviser Shin Won-sik, likewise offered their resignations. It remains uncertain if Yoon will accept these resignations. The retraction of the startling directive in the early hours of Wednesday followed a night of intense occurrences. Following Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of soldiers entered the parliament forcefully, while military helicopters hovered above the location. Certain opposition legislators breached barricades and ascended fences to reach the voting chamber. Woo Won-shik, the speaker of the National Assembly, informed BBC Korea that he hurried to parliament with the conviction that “we must protect democracy” and climbed over the fence. Ultimately, 190 lawmakers circumvented police cordons and gained entry by force to reject the directive through a vote. Thousands of demonstrators additionally gathered at the entrances of the National Assembly. Footage showed one woman seizing a soldier’s firearm. Democratic Party spokeswoman Ahn Gwi-ryeong conveyed to the BBC, “I was scared at first…but seeing such confrontation, I thought, ‘I can’t stay silent’.” Yoon’s subsequent declaration—that he was rescinding his previous directive—elicited acclamations from demonstrators gathered outside the parliament. Yoon, who secured his position with the narrowest electoral victory in Korean history and whose public approval figures have reached an unprecedented low, stated that he imposed martial law due to concerns about North Korean communist forces seizing control in the nation. The presidential office has asserted that the initial decision was “strictly within [the country’s] constitutional framework”. It communicated on Wednesday that the declaration was scheduled to “minimise damage” to both the economy and the populace’s daily existence. South Korea’s allied nations had conveyed apprehension regarding the occurrences, with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell articulating “grave concern”. The United States and Nato chief Mark Rutte applauded the withdrawal of the order on Wednesday. Rutte remarked that it demonstrated adherence to the rule of law and reinforced the alliance’s “iron-clad” bond with South Korea. Should an impeachment bill be put forward, two-thirds of South Korea’s 300-member National Assembly are required to vote for impeachment, equating to a minimum of 200 votes. This vote must occur within 72 hours. Upon the approval of impeachment, the president will be instantly removed from duties, with the prime minister assuming the role of acting president. Subsequently, a trial will be conducted before the Constitutional Court, a nine-member body responsible for supervising South Korea’s governmental branches. This procedure could extend for as long as 180 days. If six members of the court cast votes to uphold the impeachment, the president will be dismissed from office. In 2016, the then-President Park Guen-hye faced impeachment following accusations of bribery, misuse of state authority, and disclosure of state secrets. In 2004, Roh Moo-hyun, another South Korean president, underwent impeachment and a two-month suspension. The Constitutional Court subsequently reinstated him to his position. Should Yoon resign or be impeached, the government will be required to conduct an election within 60 days for the nation to select its next leader, who will commence a new five-year tenure. According to South Korea’s constitution, the president possesses the power to proclaim martial law during periods of war, armed hostilities, or other national crises. The previous instance of martial law being declared in the nation occurred in 1979, when Park Chung-hee, the country’s long-serving military dictator, was assassinated during a coup. In 1980, a contingent of military commanders, headed by General Chun Doo-hwan, instituted martial law, prohibiting political engagements and apprehending dissidents. Hundreds perished during a suppression of demonstrators before martial law was rescinded in 1981. Martial law has not been enacted since South Korea transitioned into a parliamentary democracy in 1987. Yoon initiated the action on Tuesday, asserting his aim was to safeguard the nation from “anti-state forces”. Nevertheless, certain analysts have characterized the action as his attempt to obstruct political opposition. Yoon has functioned as a lame duck president since the opposition achieved a decisive victory in the nation’s general election in April this year; his administration has been unable to enact its desired legislation and has instead been compelled to veto bills put forth by the opposition. The president’s public approval figures have fallen to unprecedented lows of 17% this year, as both he and his spouse Kim Keon-hee have been entangled in numerous controversies. Further reporting was contributed by Woongbee Lee in Seoul, and Frances Mao and Mallory Moench in London. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.