South Korea’s President Avoids Impeachment Over Martial Law

South Korea’s President Avoids Impeachment Over Martial Law

South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law, as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday, denying a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential power.

The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals.

The anti-Yoon demonstrations that erupted with the President’s move to side step the traditional process extended outside parliament immolation. Thousands are demanding his resignation or impeachment while his attorney general calls to dismiss the case.

The Yonhap News Agency also reported that former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who resigned Thursday, was arrested Sunday local time by South Korean authorities for his alleged role in the martial law declaration. Kim had ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law.

His impeachment was filed monday last

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What are the long-term implications of the deeply divided political ⁢climate in South Korea revealed by the impeachment attempt?

**News Anchor:** Joining us now is Dr. Lee Ji-hye, a⁣ professor of political science at Seoul National University. Dr. Lee, President Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment this weekend. What⁢ does this tell us about the ⁣current ⁢political climate in South Korea?

**Dr. Lee:**⁣ This is a deeply concerning⁤ situation. While the impeachment attempt⁢ failed, the fact that it came so close,‍ and that public support for it is so high, demonstrates the immense level of distrust and ⁢anger directed at President Yoon. His ⁣decision to declare martial law, even if short-lived, was seen by many as a drastic overreach of power and a threat to democracy. This episode has undoubtedly deepened the political‍ divide ⁤in the country.

**News Anchor:** The ruling party ultimately boycotted the vote, effectively blocking impeachment. Do you see this⁤ as a politically motivated move, or an attempt to preserve stability?

**Dr. Lee:** It’s certainly ⁤a complex calculation. Obviously, the ruling party is acting to protect its own power. They fear that impeaching Yoon would hand victory to the opposition liberals. But by shielding him from accountability, they also risk further alienating the public and exacerbating the crisis.

**News Anchor:** What are the implications ‍for the future of South Korean politics?

**Dr. ⁣Lee:** This is a critical crossroads. If President Yoon doesn’t take steps to address the public’s concerns and ‌rebuild trust, the situation could escalate. We may see continued ⁣protests, potentially even more drastic‌ political instability.

**News Anchor:** Do you believe this narrow escape ‌will change President ⁢Yoon’s approach⁤ going forward?

**Dr. Lee:** That remains to be⁤ seen. President Yoon has​ shown himself to be a highly‍ polarizing figure, and it’s unclear whether⁢ he is capable of making the necessary concessions to heal these divisions. The coming weeks and ​months will be crucial in determining the future direction of South Korea.

**News Anchor:** Dr. Lee, thank you​ for sharing your insights.

**Do you think President Yoon can regain the trust of the South Korean people, or is this a sign of deeper, more systemic⁢ problems within the country’s political system?**

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