South Korea’s opposition parties have filed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. Due to a budget blockade, he declared martial law for several hours until the parliament canceled it.
After the brief declaration of martial law in South Korea, the opposition has begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol. “We have submitted an impeachment motion that must be prepared urgently,” said representatives of six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party DP, at a press conference.
Accordingly, the application could be voted on as early as Friday.Yoon’s impeachment woudl require the support of two-thirds of MPs and at least six judges in the Constitutional Court.
Pressure on the president is also coming from the unions: The Korean Federation of Trade unions announced that thousands of its members would go on strike until Yoon resigns. The president himself has not commented on these claims or impeachment proceedings.
Minister of Defence resignation offers
Apparently, Yoon has also lost support from his own ranks. According to media reports,South Korean Defense minister Kim Yong Hyun has offered to resign.Kim supported the decision to declare martial law. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, the minister also publicly apologized for creating a ruckus.
Senior advisers and secretaries of President Yoon have also offered to resign collectively, the conservative party’s office said. Earlier, the chairman of his PPP party, Han Dong Hoon, also described the martial law as “wrong,” according to local media reports.
Late in the evening, Yoon announced an unexpected martial law in a televised speech. In that report, he accused the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government through subversive activities. The declared state of emergency is intended to “eliminate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom,” Yoon said. He asked the public to trust him and except ”some inconveniences.”
Soldiers tried to block access to parliament
Shortly after the televised address, hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some of them scuffled with security forces, but there where no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
Television footage showed soldiers trying to enter the parliament building. Employees tried to stop them, including using fire extinguishers.
Parliament voted unanimously against martial law
Just an hour after Yoon’s announcement, Parliament voted unanimously to end martial law with 190 MPs present. South Korea’s constitution states that martial law can be lifted if requested by a majority in the 300-seat parliament. National Assembly Chairman Woo Won Shik said that martial law does not apply and MPs will protect democracy together with the people
Addressing the Parliament, President Yoon declared that the army would withdraw. Shortly afterwards, the cabinet also agreed to lift martial law.
Numerous victories in parliament
Yoon, whose poll numbers have been falling for months, has struggled to push his agenda against the opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.
PPP Yoon is arguing with the MF regarding the budget law for the coming year. The parliamentary commitee responsible only approved a heavily reduced version of the draft budget last week.
With data from Torsten Iffland, ARD Studio Tokyo, Seoul currently.
Thorsten Iffland, ARD Seoul, tagesschau, December 4, 2024 5:50 pm
How could the result of the impeachment vote impact the future of south Korean politics?
time.news Interview: The Political Crisis in South Korea
Host: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Hae-Jin Kim,a political science expert from Seoul National University,to discuss the recent political upheaval surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol and the potential impeachment proceedings initiated by the opposition parties. Dr.kim, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Kim: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time in South Korea’s political landscape, and I’m glad to share insights.
Host: Let’s dive right in. the opposition has filed a motion to impeach President Yoon following a brief declaration of martial law due to a budget blockade.How critically important is this development?
Dr. Kim: It’s a profound moment in South Korean politics. The declaration of martial law, even for just a few hours, indicates a serious breakdown in governance.It’s unprecedented in recent history and signals that the government is unable to manage the legislative process effectively.This has prompted the opposition to take drastic measures.
Host: captivating. The motion for impeachment could be voted on as early as this Friday. What are the chances of it passing?
Dr. Kim: To succeed, the impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. Given the current political climate, the opposition seems to have solidified their support among various parties, including the Democratic Party. Though, it’s essential to see if they can maintain unity and whether any members of Yoon’s party might defect, which could change the dynamics considerably.
Host: there’s also mounting pressure from labor unions, with thousands planning to strike until Yoon resigns. Could this affect the impeachment proceedings?
Dr. Kim: Absolutely. The unions’ involvement adds an essential layer of public pressure on the government. If strikes intensify,it could sway public opinion and further weaken Yoon’s position. This grassroots mobilization often has a direct impact on political outcomes, especially in a highly connected society like South Korea.
Host: Recently, reports indicated that even members of Yoon’s own management, like Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, have expressed a willingness to resign. What does this indicate about Yoon’s standing within his party?
Dr. Kim: It reflects a significant loss of support for President Yoon, not just among the opposition but within his ranks. When high-profile officials publicly apologize or consider resigning, it demonstrates a lack of confidence in leadership. This could escalate the calls for impeachment as discontent brews within his own party.
Host: Given all these factors, what do you predict will happen in the coming days?
Dr. Kim: It’s a delicate balancing act. If the impeachment motion goes to a vote and passes, we could see a constitutional crisis unfold. Though, if Yoon manages to rally support and counter these movements, it might stabilize his presidency—for now. We’re in a period of uncertainty, and much depends on how events unfold in the next few days.
Host: Thank you, Dr. Kim, for sharing your insights on this significant issue in South Korea. It will be interesting to see how these developments unfold.
Dr. Kim: Thank you for having me.It’s crucial that we stay informed and engaged as these events impact the future of South Korea.
Host: And thank you to our audience for joining us on Time.news. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Stay tuned for more updates.