In a dramatic turn of events, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law, only to retract the decision hours later following intense political pressure. This unexpected move has led opposition lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
Six opposition parties, spearheaded by the Democratic Party which holds the majority in parliament, have swiftly moved to impeach President Yoon. They accuse his administration of making an ‘unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law.’ Alongside President Yoon, impeachment proceedings will target Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, with all three officials facing potential charges of insurrection. Gen. Park Ahn-soo, the martial law commander, and National Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun, along with other military and police leaders involved, are also under scrutiny for insurrection charges, as stated by Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Seung-rae.
The declaration, issued late Tuesday night and rescinded by Wednesday morning, has unsettled many, though a number of South Koreans remained unaware as they slept through this period. The declaration halted political activities, put media under military control, and ordered striking doctors back to work. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, acknowledged the national disruption caused by the six-hour martial law but emphasized their commitment to constitutional principles. While internal discussions within the party include the potential exit of Yoon from the party, Han did not call for his resignation, opting instead to await comprehensive investigations.
The declaration quickly stirred up social unrest, driving lawmakers and protesters to the National Assembly, where military and police forces temporarily barred entry. However, within hours, lawmakers nullified the martial law order, prompting the military’s withdrawal under political pressure. President Yoon, in a televised address, urged cessation of political conflicts that ‘paralyze the nation’s functions’ and announced the lifting of martial law as cabinet members reached a quorum early Wednesday.
Internationally, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded the lifting of martial law, underscoring the expectation for political disputes to be resolved within the legal framework. The U.S., maintaining a strong alliance with South Korea, confirmed its forces remained unaffected by the temporary measures.
Despite the brief martial law period, economic indicators such as the South Korean stock market and currency exhibited only slight perturbations. Financial analysts from the S&P credit rating agency predict no long-term implications for the nation’s credit standing.
This unexpected announcement marks the first instance of martial law in South Korea since 1980, a fact pointed out by lawmakers who highlighted the democratic maturity of the military amidst the ordeal. The episode comes in the wake of declining approval ratings for President Yoon, who has faced significant challenges from the opposition-controlled parliament, particularly over next year’s budget.
The swift martial law declaration and its subsequent retraction by President Yoon Suk Yeol has plunged South Korea into political turbulence, prompting calls for impeachment amid widespread concerns over constitutional integrity. As the nation grapples with these events, the resilience of its democratic institutions is being tested.
Source: NBCMiami
