Summary
- The impeachment bill will be formally introduced to Parliament at midnight.
- Civic and labour groups are holding a candlelit vigil in downtown Seoul and marching toward the presidential office.
- The Defence Minister has offered to resign.
On December 4, South Korean lawmakers submitted a bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his declaration of martial law. The decision came after a tense standoff between parliament and the military, which ended only hours later when Yoon reversed his order. The move sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with many questioning the president’s actions and the broader implications for South Korea’s democracy.
President Yoon’s martial law decree aimed to curtail political activities and impose media censorship, a move that was met with strong opposition. Lawmakers swiftly rejected the declaration, criticizing it as an unconstitutional overreach. Tensions escalated further when armed troops attempted to forcibly enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, signaling the severity of the standoff between the military and elected officials.
The chaotic scene in the National Assembly left many citizens and political leaders concerned about the stability of the government. Parliament’s quick response to challenge Yoon’s decision underscored the commitment to uphold South Korea’s democratic institutions. With the impeachment bill now on the table, lawmakers are calling for accountability and clarity regarding the president’s actions.
Yoon’s dramatic shift in policy came after intense pressure from lawmakers, the military, and the public. By rescinding the martial law order, he temporarily quelled the crisis, but the incident has raised important questions about the balance of power in South Korea. As the impeachment process begins, the political fallout from this episode is likely to reverberate throughout the nation for some time.
Six South Korean opposition parties filed an impeachment bill in parliament against President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had already faced criticism for his authoritarian leadership style, both from political opponents and members of his own party. Lawmakers plan to hold a vote on the impeachment bill on Friday or Saturday. A plenary session to formally introduce the bill was scheduled to begin shortly after midnight on Wednesday (1500 GMT).
Opposition lawmakers voiced strong condemnation of Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, calling it a direct violation of democratic principles. “We couldn’t ignore the illegal martial law,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min. “We can no longer allow democracy to collapse.” This statement reflects the growing frustration within South Korea’s political landscape over Yoon’s handling of the crisis and his approach to governance.
The impeachment move follows a dramatic and chaotic few hours, with Yoon initially declaring martial law, which was later rescinded after widespread backlash. Lawmakers across the political spectrum rallied to challenge the president’s decision, arguing that such measures threatened the very foundations of South Korea’s democracy.
As the impeachment bill moves forward, the political tension in South Korea remains high. The proposed vote on the bill will be a key moment in determining the future of Yoon’s presidency and the stability of the country’s democratic institutions.
Civic and labor groups gathered for a candlelight vigil in downtown Seoul on Wednesday evening, demanding President Yoon’s resignation. The vigil served as a powerful reminder of the massive candlelight protests that led to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. After the vigil, the protesters began marching toward the presidential office.
In response to the crisis, the leader of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party called for the dismissal of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the resignation of the entire cabinet. The defence ministry confirmed that Kim had offered to resign.
In a television speech late on Tuesday, President Yoon declared that martial law was necessary to defend the country from pro-North Korean anti-state forces and to protect the free constitutional order, although he provided no specific threats to justify the move. Troops attempted to seize control of the parliament building but retreated after parliamentary aides sprayed them with fire extinguishers, while protesters clashed with police outside.
Within hours of the martial law declaration, South Korea’s parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion demanding the law be lifted. Only 18 members of Yoon’s party were present. In response, the president rescinded the martial law declaration about six hours later.
Outside the National Assembly, protesters cheered and clapped, chanting “We won!” as one demonstrator banged on a drum. A South Korean presidential official defended the decision, stating that while some criticized the declaration of emergency martial law as excessive and improper, it was carried out strictly within the constitutional framework.
Meanwhile, there has been no response from North Korea to the events in the South. Yoon had previously gained praise from Western leaders as a partner in the U.S.-led effort to unite democracies against rising authoritarianism in China, Russia, and elsewhere. However, his approval ratings have fallen as he increasingly labeled critics as “communist totalitarian and anti-state forces.” In November, Yoon denied any wrongdoing in response to influence-peddling allegations involving him and his wife, while also taking a hardline stance against labor unions.
Markets Experience Volatility
Seoul seemed mostly unaffected on Wednesday, with typical rush hour traffic on both trains and the streets. However, Hyundai Motor’s labor union announced plans to hold strikes on Thursday and Friday. In response, several major employers, including Naver Corp and LG Electronics Inc, advised their employees to work from home.
South Korean stocks (.KS11) fell about 1.3%, while the won remained stable but approached a two-year low, with dealers suspecting intervention by South Korean authorities. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong held emergency meetings overnight, and the finance ministry pledged to support markets if necessary.
A government statement declared, “We will inject unlimited liquidity into stocks, bonds, the short-term money market, and the forex market for the time being until they are fully normalized.”
A major South Korean convenience store chain, which requested anonymity, reported a surge in sales of canned goods, instant noodles, and bottled water overnight.
“I’m deeply disturbed by this kind of situation, and I’m very concerned about the future of the country,” said Kim Byeong-in, a 39-year-old Seoul resident, in an interview with Reuters.
The National Assembly can impeach the president if more than two-thirds of lawmakers vote in favor. Following this, the constitutional court holds a trial and can confirm the motion with a vote by six of the nine justices.
Yoon’s party holds 108 seats in the 300-member legislature.
DODGED A BULLET
If Yoon resigned or was removed from office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take over as leader until a new election occurred within 60 days.
“South Korea as a nation dodged a bullet, but President Yoon may have shot himself in the foot,” said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank in the United States, commenting on the first martial law declaration in South Korea since 1980.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Yoon’s decision to rescind the martial law declaration.
“We continue to expect political disagreements to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” Blinken said in a statement.
South Korea hosts about 28,500 American troops as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Planned defense talks and a joint military exercise between the two allies were postponed amid the broader diplomatic fallout from the overnight turmoil.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that South Korea’s political situation is an “internal matter” for the country.
Russia expressed concern over the “tragic” events in South Korea.
Yoon, a career prosecutor, won the tightest presidential election in South Korean history in 2022, riding a wave of discontent over economic policy, scandals, and gender wars.
However, he has remained unpopular, with his support ratings hovering around 20% for months. The opposition captured nearly two-thirds of seats in parliament in an election in April.
Martial law has been declared more than a dozen times since South Korea established itself as a republic in 1948. In 1980, a group of military officers forced then-President Choi Kyu-hah to proclaim martial law to suppress calls for the restoration of democratic government.
