After his brief declaration of martial law surprised the globe, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was still in charge Thursday, and his party said it would fight an impeachment attempt.
After deploying military and helicopters to parliament and suspending civilian authority late Tuesday, Yoon was forced to perform a U-turn in the midst of a dramatic and protest-filled evening when legislators voted against the move.
Washington claimed to have learned about it through television, which frightened Seoul’s friends. The opposition promptly submitted a move for Yoon’s impeachment, claiming that he had “gravely violated the constitution and the law.”
At approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, a vote is scheduled.
After the opposition filed a complaint against Yoon and other important players, South Korean police also said Thursday they were looking into him for “insurrection,” a crime that is punishable by death and is not covered by presidential immunity.
In the 300-member legislature, the opposition has a sizable majority, and it only needs a few defections from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) to obtain the two-thirds majority required for impeachment.
PPP chairman Han Dong-hoon, however, stated on Thursday that he would thwart the impeachment move even if he had called for Yoon to quit the party due to his “unconstitutional martial law.”
“The People Power Party’s 108 lawmakers will remain united in their opposition to the president’s impeachment,” stated Choo Kyung-ho, the party floor leader.
73.6 percent of respondents favored the impeachment, according to a new Realmeter poll released on Thursday. Later Thursday, further protests were anticipated.
Yoon will be placed on leave until the Constitutional Court renders a decision if the motion is approved. Yoon will be impeached and new elections must be held within 60 days if the judges approve.
Negative recollections
Since his televised speech in the wee hours of Wednesday, Yoon, who has stumbled from crisis to crisis since assuming office in 2022, has not been spotted in public.
His staff told local media that he will not be making any statements on Thursday.
His office announced on Thursday that Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and other important friends, including Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, are still in their positions.
Additionally, prosecutors have prohibited Kim from traveling abroad, according to Yonhap news agency.
Senior officials, including as Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su, who served as Yoon’s martial law commander, were being questioned by lawmakers in the meantime.
Park claimed on Thursday that he was not informed until late Tuesday, when the president declared martial law on live television.
It evoked sad memories of South Korea’s dictatorial history and was the first such announcement in almost 40 years.
According to Yoon, the action was taken to “protect a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness.”
The army chief issued a six-point edict that outlawed strikes, “gatherings that incite social unrest,” “false propaganda,” and political parties and activities.
Nearly 300 soldiers attempted to lock down the National Assembly, security personnel barricaded it, and helicopters touched down on the roof, all ostensibly to keep lawmakers out.
However, enough MPs, some of whom jumped over obstacles, entered and voted against Yoon’s action while legislative staffers used couches and fire extinguishers to stop the military.
The hundreds of demonstrators who braved the sweltering weather outside, many of whom were brandishing national flags and calling for Yoon’s arrest, cheered this.
Early on Thursday morning, lawmakers formally introduced the impeachment resolution, claiming that Yoon’s decision to declare martial law was made in order to “avoid imminent investigations […] into alleged illegal acts involving himself and his family.”
MP Kim Seung-won declared, “This is an unforgivable crime — one that cannot, should not, and will not be pardoned.”
Following a gathering in Gwanghwamun Square, thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of Yoon’s Seoul office late on Wednesday to demand his resignation in a display of public outrage.
“Sturdy and resilient”
In order to defend its friend against the nuclear-armed North, the United States has some 30,000 troops based in South Korea.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan praised the National Assembly for acting “in accordance with constitutional processes and procedures” to revoke martial law, saying on Wednesday that Yoon’s declaration had “raised deep concern for us.”
Russia, which is becoming closer to Pyongyang, described the situation as “alarming,” while China, a crucial ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, advised its citizens to be cautious.
Tokyo said Thursday that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke with senior ministers and the national security advisor about the situation in Japan, whose historically tense relations with Seoul have softened under Yoon.
According to government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi, “South Korea and Japan are important neighbors that should tackle, as partners, various issues facing the international community.”
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