Martial law fallout: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment drama

The political landscape of South Korea has been plunged into turmoil after the opposition Democratic Party filed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday. The move follows the president’s controversial martial law declaration late Tuesday night, a decision that sparked immediate outrage and was swiftly rescinded after intense backlash.

The impeachment motion process, which accuses Yoon of abusing his executive powers, is now set to make its way through the National Assembly. Analysts expect the vote to take place by the weekend, with the outcome poised to shape the nation’s future political trajectory. A two-thirds majority in the 300-member Assembly is required for the motion to pass, after which it would be reviewed by South Korea’s Constitutional Court. The process has added urgency given the escalating public discontent over Yoon’s governance.

Martial law declaration sparks outrage

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration came in a late-night address on national television, during which he alleged threats to national security and accused opposition forces of colluding with external actors to destabilize the country. This unprecedented move marked the first invocation of martial law since South Korea’s crisis during its authoritarian past in the 1980s.

The response was immediate and unrelenting. Opposition Democratic Party lawmakers convened in an emergency session to overturn the declaration, despite efforts by military personnel to hinder access to the Assembly building. The impeachment motion process, alongside the swift nullification of martial law, highlights the strength of the nation’s legislature in curbing executive overreach.

Cabinet resignations soon followed, with Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun taking responsibility for his role in the crisis. The minister reportedly played a pivotal role in recommending the martial law declaration to the president, an action he later admitted was “unjustified.”

Impeachment motion gains momentum

The opposition Democratic Party’s impeachment motion highlights Yoon’s alleged constitutional violations and disregard for democratic norms. While the party holds a majority in the Assembly, it will still require support from members of the conservative ruling party to meet the two-thirds threshold. Political analysts suggest that bipartisan support might be challenging to secure, given the ruling party’s decision not to back the impeachment motion.

However, the fallout from the martial law declaration has created cracks within Yoon’s coalition. Discontent is reportedly brewing among moderates, who view the incident as a severe misstep that undermines public trust in the presidency.

Public demonstrations escalate

The president’s actions have triggered a wave of public demonstrations, with tens of thousands rallying in cities like Seoul to demand his resignation. Civil society groups and labour unions condemned the martial law declaration as a dangerous regression into authoritarianism. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions announced an indefinite strike, adding to the political uncertainty continuing in the country.

Economic market instability

The crisis has reverberated through South Korea’s economy, creating economic market instability. The South Korean won weakened against major currencies, and stock indices experienced volatility. Financial experts warn that prolonged uncertainty could deter foreign investment and negatively impact the economy. The Bank of Korea has pledged to address this economic market instability and ensure financial stability as the impeachment motion process unfolds.

Constitutional Court review looms

Should the impeachment motion process succeed, President Yoon Suk Yeol would be suspended pending a Constitutional Court review. During this time, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume the role of acting president, potentially prolonging the political uncertainty continuing. The Constitutional Court review process could extend over several months, further deepening the South Korea crisis.

Experts note that while this crisis tests South Korea’s democratic institutions, the swift legislative response to overturn martial law demonstrates a resilient system. Nonetheless, the South Korea crisis highlights the nation’s polarised politics and the challenges it must overcome to regain stability.