South Korea on the Brink as Impeachment Looms for Putin
Governments in turmoil
The South Korean parliament is set to vote on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, hours after massive protests raked the streets outside the National Assembly. The motion, fueled by Wednesday night’s unprecedented declaration of martial law, could suspend Yoon pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court.
Dramatic political chaos ensued after Yoon deployed troops and helicopters to parliament on Tuesday, attempting to quell dissent in a scene normally only seen in authoritarian regimes. The shocking move was ultimately thwarted by courageous parliamentarians who battled with furniture to stop the entry of armed forces, ultimately voting down the decree within hours.
"The declaration of martial law arose from my urgency as the president," Yoon said in a televised address, his first public appearance since plunging the country into this incredible strife.
"However, in the process, I caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public," he added, offering a tearful apology to citizens.
Yoon stopped short of resigning, vowing only to "entrust the party" to stabilize the situation. His People Power Party (PPP) is deeply divided on the issue, despite Yoon’s unprecedented attack on democracy, with party leaders expressing an arch belief in steady leadership, stating a resignation would just worsen the chaos.
“The normal performance of the president’s duties is impossible under the current circumstances, and an early resignation of the president is inevitable,” party leader Han Dong-hoon remarked early Saturday morning.
Anti-Yoon protestors occupied Seoul’s Yeouido district, surrounding the National Assembly, braving freezing temperatures to ensure no further abuses of power would occur. Several camped out overnight as opposition MPs barricaded themselves inside parliament, fearing more drastic attempts by Yoon to dismantle South Korea’s taken for granted democracy.
"I will not shy away from the issue of legal and political responsibility regarding the declaration of martial law," Yoon insisted in his speech.
On Friday, Yoon’s approval rating dropped to a record low of 13 percent, according to a new poll.
“This incident will bring inevitable consequences for President Yoon’s presidency,” political analyst Kang Yong-sadly stated.
A successful motion to impeach Yoon requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament. Currently, the opposition holds 192 seats. At least eight ruling party members have voiced their intention to vote against their own president, adding to the growing dissent within Yoon’s party.
Yoon’s clash with parliament arose from his justificationof invoking martial law. He claimed it was necessary to shield South Korea from threats posed by North Korea’s regime, arguing it would cleanse and protect the nation. However, the move was widely condemned internationally, even amidst anxieties about Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.
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<img src="https://img.jakpost.net/c/2024/12/07/2024_12_07_158095_1733538423._medium.jpg" alt="People take part in a protest calling for the ouster of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 6, 2024. South Korea's ruling party chief demanded that Yoon be stripped of office, warning there was a “significant risk“ he could try to impose martial law again.">
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What sparked the political crisis in South Korea and led President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law?
## South Korea on the Brink: An Interview
**Interviewer:** We’re joined today by Dr. Lee Ji-hye, a political scientist specializing in South Korean politics, to discuss the unfolding crisis in Seoul. Dr. Lee, can you tell us what’s happening and how the situation escalated so quickly?
**Dr. Lee:** The situation is very tense. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Wednesday night [[1](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-apologizes-martial-law-possible-impeachment-vote-looming/)], prompting widespread protests and condemnation. He claims it was a response to “urgency” but this is unprecedented in South Korea’s recent democracy.
**Interviewer:** This unprecedented declaration was met with fierce resistance, both from citizens and lawmakers. Can you explain what happened?
**Dr. Lee:** Absolutely. Parliamentarians bravely barricaded themselves inside the National Assembly, using furniture to prevent armed forces from entering. They ultimately voted down the martial law decree. Public outrage has been immense, with massive protests ongoing across Seoul.
**Interviewer:** We understand there’s an impending impeachment vote planned for Saturday. Do you believe Yoon’s apology and his promise to “entrust his party” with stabilizing the situation will be enough to stave off impeachment?
**Dr. Lee:** It’s unclear. While Yoon apologized for the public anxiety, he hasn’t offered to resign. His party is divided on the matter, with some calling for his removal while others argue that resignation would worsen the chaos. It’s a deeply uncertain situation.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential ramifications of this crisis for South Korea?
**Dr. Lee:** The implications are serious. This has shaken South Korea’s democratic foundations and could potentially lead to prolonged political instability. The international community is watching closely, and the outcome of this vote will have significant ramifications both domestically and internationally.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, thank you for providing such insightful analysis during these turbulent times. We’ll certainly continue to monitor the situation in Seoul.
