„EPA
„Citizens chant ‚Arrest Yoon Suk-yeol‘ as they flood the streets
South Korea’s opposition lawmakers have initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The country woke up to a state of uncertainty on Wednesday after a tumultuous night that saw Yoon unexpectedly implement martial law, 190 lawmakers convene to reject it, and a sudden reversal of the decision approximately six hours later.
Following the introduction of the impeachment motion, South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party denounced Yoon’s initial declaration of martial law as „insurrectionary behavior“.
Parliament will need to vote on Yoon’s impeachment 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 also expressed its intention to charge Yoon with „crimes of rebellion“.
Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min were identified as „key participants“ in the martial law declaration and the Party also sought charges against them alongside Yoon.
However, South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, of which Yoon is a member, has agreed to oppose his impeachment, as reported by the country’s Yonhap news agency.
The opposition requires the support of at least eight out of 108 ruling party lawmakers for the bill to pass.
None of the ruling party lawmakers were present during the introduction of the motion at the National Assembly in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Schools, banks, and government offices in Seoul operated normally on Wednesday, but protests demanding the president’s resignation continued throughout the city.
„Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,“ chanted some enraged citizens as they filled the streets.
South Korea’s largest labor group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, declared an indefinite strike until the president steps down.
Reuters
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was unanimously voted down less than two hours later
On Wednesday, the country’s defense minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned, taking full responsibility for the martial law. He apologized to the public for causing confusion and distress, as stated by the ministry.
Yoon’s senior aides, including chief of staff Chung Jin-suk and national security adviser Shin Won-sik, also tendered their resignations.
It is uncertain whether Yoon will accept their resignations.
The reversal of the order early on Wednesday followed dramatic scenes overnight.
Hundreds of troops stormed the parliament after Yoon declared martial law, with military helicopters circling the site.
Some opposition lawmakers breached barricades and climbed fences to reach the voting chamber. Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik told BBC Korea that he rushed to parliament in the belief that „we must protect democracy“ and scaled the fence.
Ultimately, 190 lawmakers bypassed police lines and entered to vote down the order.
Thousands of protesters gathered at the National Assembly gates. One woman was filmed grabbing a soldier’s gun.
Democratic Party spokeswoman Ahn Gwi-ryeong told the BBC, „I was scared at first…but seeing such confrontation, I thought, ‚I can’t stay silent‘.“
Yoon’s subsequent announcement of reversing his earlier order was met with cheers from protesters outside parliament.
Yoon, who won office by the slimmest margin in Korean history and whose approval ratings have hit a record low, cited concerns about North Korean communist forces seizing power in the country as the reason for declaring martial law.
The presidential office defended the initial decision as „strictly within [the country’s] constitutional framework“. It stated on Wednesday that the announcement was timed to „minimize damage“ to the economy and people’s lives.
South Korea’s allies expressed alarm at the events, with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell voicing „grave concern“.
The US and Nato chief Mark Rutte welcomed the rescinded order on Wednesday, with Rutte stating it demonstrated a commitment to the rule of law and affirmed the alliance’s „iron-clad“ relationship with South Korea.
How do impeachments work in South Korea?
When an impeachment bill is proposed, two-thirds of South Korea’s 300-member National Assembly must vote to impeach – equivalent to at least 200 votes. The vote must occur within 72 hours.
Upon approval of the impeachment, the president will be immediately suspended from office, and the prime minister will become acting president.
A trial will then be conducted before the Constitutional Court, a nine-member council overseeing South Korea’s government branches. The process could last up to 180 days.
If six of the court’s members vote to uphold the impeachment, the president will be removed from office.
Have other South Korean presidents been impeached?
EPA
Police officers in bright yellow vests stand guard outside the National Assembly in Seoul
In 2016, then-President Park Guen-hye was impeached on charges of bribery, abusing state power, and leaking state secrets.
In 2004, another South Korean president, Roh Moo-hyun, was impeached and suspended for two months. The Constitutional Court later reinstated him to office.
If Yoon resigns or is impeached, the government will be required to hold an election within 60 days for the country to elect its new leader, who will commence a new five-year term.
South Korea’s history with martial law
According to South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during war, armed conflict, or other national emergencies.
The last declaration of martial law in the country was in 1979, following the assassination of the long-time military dictator Park Chung-hee in a coup.
In 1980, a group of military leaders, led by General Chun Doo-hwan, declared martial law, prohibiting political activities and arresting dissidents. EPA
Hunderte Menschen starben während eines Vorgehens gegen Protestierende, bevor 1981 das Kriegsrecht aufgehoben wurde.
Seit Südkorea 1987 eine parlamentarische Demokratie wurde, wurde das Kriegsrecht nicht mehr angewendet.
Yoon hat am Dienstag den Abzug betätigt und gesagt, er versuche das Land vor „antistaatlichen Kräften“ zu retten.
Aber einige Analysten haben den Schritt als seinen Versuch beschrieben, politischen Widerstand zu vereiteln.
Yoon ist ein lahmender Entenpräsident, seit die Opposition bei den allgemeinen Wahlen im April dieses Jahres einen Erdrutschsieg errungen hat – seine Regierung konnte nicht die gewünschten Gesetze verabschieden und wurde stattdessen darauf reduziert, die von der Opposition vorgeschlagenen Gesetze zu vetieren.
Die Zustimmungswerte des Präsidenten sind in diesem Jahr auf Rekordtiefs von 17% gefallen, da er und seine Frau Kim Keon-hee in eine Reihe von Skandalen verwickelt waren.
Zusätzliche Berichterstattung von Woongbee Lee in Seoul und Frances Mao und Mallory Moench in London