International
South Korean President Survives Impeachment Vote Amid Martial Law Controversy
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday after a parliamentary vote to remove him from office failed amid dramatic scenes in the National Assembly.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that despite the reprieve, members of his own party, the People Power Party (PPP), have called for his resignation, deepening the political crisis.
The impeachment vote was triggered by Yoon’s controversial attempt to declare martial law, a move that would have marked the first such action in over four decades. The proposal sparked widespread outrage and protests, with large crowds gathering outside the National Assembly demanding his removal.
During the vote, members of Yoon’s party staged a boycott, leaving the chamber to ensure the motion did not pass. Only two governing lawmakers remained inside, with one casting a vote against the impeachment. Opposition lawmakers, furious at the boycott, accused the PPP of cowardice, shouting, “Go inside!” from outside the chamber.
The opposition, led by the Rebuilding Korea Party, has submitted a new motion for impeachment, scheduled for a vote on Wednesday, December 11. Opposition lawmaker Kim Joon-hyung stated, “The sooner he resigns or is impeached, the better for our country.”
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Despite thwarting the immediate impeachment threat, the PPP is pressing Yoon to step down voluntarily. Party leader Han Dong-hoon said, “We will continue to push for the president’s orderly resignation to minimize confusion.”
Yoon’s leadership has been under intense scrutiny following the martial law controversy, which has shaken the country’s political landscape. His tenure now faces mounting challenges as calls for his resignation grow louder both within and outside his party.
Yoon earlier apologized to the nation Saturday in his first public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law threw the country into political chaos and led to calls for his impeachment.
“This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” Yoon said in a two-minute address.
“I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens who must have been greatly shocked,” Yoon said, acknowledging that he “caused anxiety and inconvenience” to South Korean citizens.
Yoon said he “will not avoid the legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration.”
The furor began late Tuesday night, when Yoon declared martial law in an unannounced television address, accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of “anti-state activities.” He cited a motion by the Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.
Within just six hours of declaring martial law, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was forced to retract his decree after lawmakers pushed past military barricades and unanimously overturned the order in parliament.
Amid rising speculation on Saturday about another attempt to invoke martial law, Yoon sought to quell fears, stating, “There will absolutely be no second attempt at a constitutional amendment.” In an address to the nation, he added, “I will entrust my party with methods to stabilize the political situation, including the remainder of my term… I apologize to the citizens for the concerns I have caused.” He concluded his remarks with a deep bow before stepping off the podium.
The brief but shocking declaration of martial law ignited widespread anger and unease in a country still haunted by memories of the brutal military dictatorships that ended after a protracted fight for democracy in the 1980s.
In the days following the failed decree, Yoon has faced mounting pressure, with protests erupting nationwide and opposition figures calling for his impeachment. Even within his People Power Party and the military, his support has begun to falter.
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On Friday, party leader Han Dong-hoon called for Yoon’s immediate suspension, warning of “grave danger” to the country if the president remained in power. Han’s call came after the emergence of explosive details about an arrest list Yoon allegedly drafted during the upheaval, a revelation that further fueled the political firestorm.
Reports claim that shortly after declaring martial law, Yoon told Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), to seize the opportunity to “arrest and clean everything up.” He reportedly pledged to empower the NIS with expanded authority and resources, saying, “Support it with funds, personnel unconditionally.”
Lawmakers briefed on the situation disclosed these details to reporters, and Hong later confirmed the content of his phone conversation with Yoon. According to the lawmakers, Hong, upon learning of the arrest list through the Defence Counterintelligence Command (DCC), described it as “crazy.”
The list allegedly included prominent opposition figures, such as Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and even Han Dong-hoon himself. The revelations have deepened the political crisis and amplified calls for Yoon’s removal.
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