South Korea is in political turmoil following a shocking martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol that led opposition parties to submit a motion for his impeachment. The declaration, which encircled parliament with heavily armed troops and halted legislative activities, was lifted after just six hours when lawmakers unanimously voted against it.
The motion for impeachment, backed by the main opposition Democratic Party and five smaller parties, could go to a vote as early as Friday. Impeaching Yoon would require a two-thirds majority in parliament and a ruling by at least six of the nine Constitutional Court justices to officially remove him from office.
The martial law declaration has led to widespread criticism and collective resignations from Yoon’s senior advisers, with calls for Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and other Cabinet members to step down. In his speech, Yoon justified the declaration as a move to eliminate “anti-state” forces, but critics from all sides, including his own People Power Party, have condemned the act as unconstitutional.
The swift rejection by the National Assembly, which includes 18 votes from Yoon’s own party members, underscores the severity of the backlash. Opposition leaders have declared the martial law invalid, calling it a grave act of rebellion and a clear violation of the constitution.
The declaration marked the first instance of martial law in South Korea in more than four decades, recalling the nation’s turbulent history under military-backed governments.
South Korea Faces Political Crisis as President Yoon’s Martial Law Sparks Impeachment Push
Yoon’s actions have been criticized for undermining democratic principles, with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun condemning the deployment of troops to block parliament as a violation of democratic norms and separation of powers. The People Power Party has also called for accountability, including the dismissal of Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly advised the president on the declaration.
If Yoon is impeached, he would be stripped of his powers pending a Constitutional Court ruling, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming presidential responsibilities in the interim. However, the Constitutional Court currently lacks the quorum needed to address impeachment, requiring lawmakers to expedite the appointment of new justices.
The court’s deliberation will focus on whether Yoon’s declaration met constitutional requirements, a determination critical to his potential removal. The constitution mandates that martial law be imposed only during extreme national emergencies and requires the president to lift it upon a parliamentary majority vote.
Yoon’s imposition of martial law has drawn parallels with South Korea’s authoritarian past, when military intervention suppressed political dissent. Tuesday night’s events saw armed troops and military helicopters surrounding the National Assembly, preventing many lawmakers and protesters from entering.
Despite the tension, the opposition’s decisive response and lack of major violence reflect South Korea’s evolution as a democracy. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik praised the military’s restraint in avoiding aggressive measures, contrasting it with the nation’s history of military coups.
Internationally, Yoon’s declaration has raised concerns, with the U.S. expressing unease over the situation. The Biden administration confirmed it had not been informed in advance of the martial law announcement. Observers view Yoon’s actions as a serious setback for South Korean democracy, aligning with broader criticisms of his presidency, which has faced accusations of authoritarian tendencies.
Experts like Natalia Slavney of the Stimson Center note a troubling pattern of democratic erosion under Yoon’s leadership, contrasting it with South Korea’s legacy of political pluralism and mass civic action. The situation remains tense as the nation grapples with the implications of Yoon’s controversial decision and its potential fallout.
