South Korea faces one of its most serious political crises in decades after the failed attempt by President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose the martial lawa measure that generated immediate rejection both in Parliament and among citizens.
The declaration, although revoked hours laterhas sparked calls for his dismissal, massive protests in Seoul and increasing political isolation for the president, who was already facing difficulties in advancing his agenda in a Parliament dominated by the opposition.
Here we review the main aspects of this situation.
In a decision unprecedented in the country’s recent history, Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law arguing an alleged “anti-state” threat linked to opposition forces and alleged connections with North Korea. During the six hours that the measure was in force, nearly 300 soldiers surrounded and entered the Parliament building, while helicopters and armored vehicles occupied the streets of Seoul. According to the Secretary General of Parliament, Kim Min-ki, The troops entered the compound using helicopters and scaling the fences, breaking windows to access the interior.
Legislators and workers tried to repel them using fire extinguishers and makeshift barricades, giving deputies time to vote against the measure. The reaction was overwhelming: Parliament, led by a majority opposition, rejected the declaration of Yoon with 190 votes in favor of its revocation, including some deputies from the president’s own party, leaving in shows his political weakness and the lack of support even within their ranks.
Yoon justified martial law as a measure to “protect the constitutional order,” but did not present solid evidence for the threats he mentioned. Since coming to power in 2022, the president has faced multiple corruption scandals, tensions with the opposition and a decline in popularity.
Among the most recent accusations are allegations of influence peddling. involving his wife and alleged manipulation in the selection of candidates for 2022 by-elections. In addition, his inability to pass key laws in a Parliament dominated by the opposition Democratic Party has intensified criticism of his management. These factors, added to a polarized political climate, have contributed to the outbreak of this crisis.
The South Korean Parliament has initiated a impeachment motion against Yoona process that requires the support of two-thirds of the 300 seats and the ratification of the Constitutional Court. If the motion succeeds, Yoon will be suspended from office and the prime minister Han Duck-soo will assume the interim leadership of the country. The vote is scheduled for this Friday or Saturday, and the Democratic Party He only needs to convince a dozen more legislators to guarantee its approval.
This places Yoon in a position of extreme political vulnerability. If approved, the Constitutional Court will have up to 180 days to deliberate and decide whether to ratify the measure. leaving the prime minister as interim president during this period. If the dismissal is carried out, the country must call presidential elections within 60 days.
In South Koreathousands of citizens have demonstrated demanding the resignation of Yoon. Unions such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions have declared indefinite strikeswhile opposition legislators have described the president’s actions as a “violation of the Constitution.” Protesters in front of the National Assembly They have displayed banners with messages such as “Restore democracy” and “Resign, Yoon Suk Yeol”.
At the international level, countries such as Japan, USA and Russia have expressed concern about stability in the region. The American embassy in Seoul issued alerts for its citizens, recommending avoiding protest areas, while the embassy of China pointed out that the situation in South Korea has returned to normal, although it asked its nationals to remain alert.
The declaration of martial law is a highly sensitive issue in South Korea due to its history of military dictatorships during the 1960s to 1980s. Authoritarian leaders such as Park Chung-hee y Chun Doo-hwan They used this measure to repress democratic movements, leaving deep scars in the country’s collective memory.
In particular, the Gwangju uprising in 1980which was brutally repressed under martial law, is remembered as one of the darkest episodes in the fight for South Korean democracy. The images of soldiers entering Parliament and repressing protesters have evoked those dark chapters, increasing the rejection towards Yoon both among the population and in political circles.
