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On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a turning point in his failing political term. With an approval rating of less than 20%, Yeol implemented martial law based on what appear to be baseless claims that 'anti-government' movements supporting North Korea were threatening the nation. Protests erupted, while opposition parties moved to shut down the president's decision.
South Korea’s constitution allows for its president to activate martial law in “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states.”
Martial law is the temporary shelving of civil rights, including press freedom and protest and assembly, as well as restraining the freedom of the press and assembly and temporarily limiting the function of different government agencies and even courts.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol implemented martial law on December 3. It was a bold move from the controversial leader, who is facing corruption scandals. It is the first time such a measure has occurred in South Korea in five decades.
Yoon made the decision as part of a strategy to rid the nation of 'anti-state' movements that he claims were supporting North Korea, though he offered no evidence of such.
Immediately following the decision, thousands of protestors gathered outside parliament in opposition to the enactment of martial law, while opposition leaders scrambled to bring Yoon’s decision to a halt.
Although martial law lasted merely six hours in the country after parliament unanimously shut down the measure, the backlash has proven to be detrimental to South Korea’s leader.
The Korean parliament began impeachment procedures due to what opposition leaders call "insurrectionary behavior."
Parliament, which is largely comprised of opposition parties, has frustrated Yoon, as he has been largely unable to move his policies to law.
When martial law was called into effect, masked troops and police made their way to the National Assembly parliament, while staffers rebelled with fire extinguishers.
Opposition leaders called on the public to protest this dangerous move: "Tanks, armored personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country... My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”
Lawmakers, determined to shut down the president’s radical move, were seen climbing fences and barricades to push their way into the voting chamber.
Following the lift of the measure, protesters gathered outside the parliament, clapping and shouting, “We won!”
Prior to the scandal, Yoon’s approval rating in the country was less than 20%. The move to implement martial law likely has not improved these ratings, as public backlash continues to mount.
The implementation of martial law is a chilling reminder of South Korea’s violent past, specifically the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, which left hundreds, including many students, dead.
Before Yoon’s decision, speculation that the president would seek such a measure had been circulating for months, particularly following accusations of corruption.
Abuse of power and corruption have flooded the country’s political leadership for decades, with various investigations of former leaders for stock price manipulation and accepting bribes, among other measures.
The crisis in the country, a key ally for the United States and one of the strongest Asian economies, caused concerns internationally.
A White House spokesperson expressed relief on the reversal of the Yoon’s implementation of martial law, and “respected the National Assembly’s vote to end it.”
The United States remains concerned over political instability in their ally nation, particularly given any perceived political advantages for their common ‘enemy,’ North Korea.
The downfall of Yoon comes months after his political party suffered defeat in its parliamentary election, leading to opposition parties garnering two-thirds of parliamentary seats.
The Brunswick Group, a think tank in Washington, D.C., expressed concern over current perceptions of South Korea "at a time when an aggressive China and overall retrenchment from democracy globally are big concerns for US national security."
International media agrees that Yoon’s impulsive move is likely a setback for one of the strongest democratic countries in the Asian-Pacific region.
This is particularly concerning for South Korea’s allies, as mounting tensions with North Korea and China continue to occupy political agendas.
Sources: (AP News) (BBC) (Reuters) (CBS News) (CNN)
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Outraged South Korean citizens have been holding protests, rallies, and candle-lit vigils across South Korea since the president's sudden enactment of martial law.
According to CNN interviews conducted among the different rallies, people expressed "embarrassment" of the president's decision, with some calling the move an act of "insanity."
An even greater and more organized police force returned to the residence on January 15 and successfully infiltrated his home, at which time he was taken into custody. Yoon has continuously declared his innocence and claims that the investigations into him are illegal.
On December 31, a warrant was issued for his arrest. A few days later, the CIO sent the police to his presidential compound to execute the warrant, which ended in a stand-off as Yoon and his security staff refused to cooperate.
On April 4, South Korea’s Constitutional Court officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol, finalizing his impeachment four months after he declared martial law. The court condemned his actions as unconstitutional, with judges calling them a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust.” With his removal confirmed, South Korea now moves toward a new presidential election.
On December 14, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, making him the third South Korean president to be impeached in the last 20 years. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was also impeached.
Yoon remained holed up inside the fortified presidential residence surrounded by his security staff for weeks after the impeachment. He refused to comply with multiple requests to appear before the Corruption Investigation Office, which is investigating charges against him. The charges include leading an insurrection, which can carry a sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
On February 20, Yoon was taken from the Seoul Detention Center to attend his first trial hearing. The prosecutors urged the court to make the proceedings swift given the gravity of the situation, while Yoon's lawyers asked the judge to release him from detention while he awaits trial. On the same day, Yoon appeared before the Constitutional Court regarding his impeachment, which is in its final stages. The court will soon decide whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.
On January 26, prosecutors indicted Yoon on charges of insurrection for his declaration of martial law, making him the first sitting president to face criminal charges. His lawyers deny that his introduction of martial law qualifies as insurrection and say the prosecution has made a "historic mistake."
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, finalizing his impeachment four months after he declared martial law in a move that plunged the nation into political turmoil. This decision effectively ends Yoon’s presidency and triggers an election to replace him.
The court’s decision condemned Yoon’s actions, particularly his unconstitutional use of martial law last December, which led to troops being deployed to parliament and lawmakers being forcibly removed.
The court’s acting head judge Moon Hyung-bae described the former president's actions as a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust,” citing his failure to follow due process and his violation of legislative rights. The ruling affirmed that there was no national crisis justifying martial law, making his decree both unlawful and unjustified.
What will happen next for one of America's closest Asian-Pacific allies? Click on to learn more about this unbelievable situation.
South Korean president removed from office after martial law scandal
The country prepares for a new presidential election
LIFESTYLE Asia
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, finalizing his impeachment four months after he declared martial law in a move that plunged the nation into political turmoil. This decision effectively ends Yoon’s presidency and triggers an election to replace him.
The court’s decision condemned Yoon’s actions, particularly his unconstitutional use of martial law last December, which led to troops being deployed to parliament and lawmakers being forcibly removed.
The court’s acting head judge Moon Hyung-bae described the former president's actions as a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust,” citing his failure to follow due process and his violation of legislative rights. The ruling affirmed that there was no national crisis justifying martial law, making his decree both unlawful and unjustified.
What will happen next for one of America's closest Asian-Pacific allies? Click on to learn more about this unbelievable situation.