South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing an unprecedented political crisis following his brief and highly controversial attempt to impose martial law, which sent shockwaves through the nation’s political system. On Saturday, in a rare televised address, Yoon issued an apology for the public anxiety caused by his decision to take such a drastic step, acknowledging the severity of the situation. He expressed regret for the confusion and fear that arose from the martial law declaration, and promised not to repeat the actions that had so deeply unsettled both South Korea’s political establishment and its citizens. The president stated that he would not shy away from taking responsibility for his decision, which included legal and political consequences. He further indicated that he would leave it to his party, the conservative People Power Party (PPP), to navigate the nation through the ongoing political turmoil, particularly concerning matters related to his presidency.
The martial law announcement, which came on the night of Tuesday, was an extreme measure taken in the context of mounting political pressure on Yoon’s administration. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has faced significant challenges, including an opposition-controlled parliament that has frequently blocked his legislative agenda. Additionally, his presidency has been marred by a series of scandals involving both himself and his wife, which have further eroded his popularity. The martial law declaration was made ahead of a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion that had been tabled by opposition parties. In his speech, Yoon referred to parliament as a "den of criminals" and vowed to rid the government of "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces." This inflammatory rhetoric, combined with the imposition of martial law, triggered widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.
Opposition lawmakers quickly seized on Yoon’s actions, drafting a motion to impeach the president, accusing him of undermining the democratic order and seeking to stage a "self-coup." The National Assembly was set to vote on the impeachment motion on Saturday afternoon, but it remained unclear whether the motion would secure the two-thirds majority required to pass. The opposition parties that initiated the motion control 192 out of the 300 seats in parliament, meaning they need at least eight additional votes from Yoon’s own party to succeed. While the PPP leader, Han Dong-hun, called for Yoon’s removal on Friday, the party as a whole remains opposed to the impeachment, fearing political chaos and a potential loss in the next presidential election if Yoon were to be removed.
If the impeachment motion passes, Yoon’s powers would be temporarily suspended until the Constitutional Court renders a decision on whether to remove him from office. Should the court rule in favor of his removal, a new election would be held within 60 days. The political landscape in South Korea has become increasingly polarized, with protests erupting on the streets of Seoul in the aftermath of the martial law declaration. Thousands of South Koreans took to the streets to express their opposition to Yoon’s actions, waving banners, chanting slogans, and even modifying popular K-pop songs to call for his resignation. On the other side, a smaller group of Yoon’s supporters gathered near the National Assembly, rallying in support of the president and opposing the impeachment motion, holding signs reading "We oppose unconstitutional impeachment."
The protests and growing political discontent have paralyzed the functioning of the government. The martial law decree itself was quickly reversed after a unanimous vote in parliament, which called for the cancellation of the order. By the early hours of Wednesday, military forces had withdrawn from the National Assembly, and the martial law declaration was lifted. This dramatic development marked the first time in more than 40 years that martial law had been imposed in South Korea. The entire episode has sent shockwaves through the country’s political system, sparking fears of a slide toward authoritarianism and destabilizing the country’s fragile democratic institutions.
Opposition lawmakers have strongly criticized Yoon’s actions, with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung calling the martial law attempt a "self-coup" and demanding that Yoon immediately resign or face impeachment. The parliamentary vote on the impeachment motion on Saturday was expected to be contentious, with Yoon’s fate hanging in the balance. The vote would also address other political issues, including a proposal to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of influence peddling related to Yoon’s wife. The resolution of these matters will likely have a profound impact on the course of South Korea’s political future.
In the lead-up to the vote, internal divisions within Yoon’s party have also come to the forefront. While the PPP remains officially opposed to impeachment, some members have openly called for Yoon’s resignation. Han Dong-hun, the leader of the minority faction within the PPP, has stated that Yoon is unfit to remain in office and has called for his early resignation, citing concerns that Yoon could take even more extreme actions if left unchecked. Han’s statements were based on intelligence reports suggesting that, during the brief period when martial law was in effect, Yoon had ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest key political figures on charges of "anti-state activities." These figures reportedly included Han himself, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, and National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik.
In response to these claims, the Defense Ministry took action, suspending the defense counterintelligence commander, Yeo In-hyung, who allegedly received orders from Yoon. Other military leaders, including the commanders of the capital defense command and special warfare command, were also suspended for their involvement in enforcing martial law. Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is accused of recommending the imposition of martial law, has been placed under a travel ban and is facing an investigation for rebellion charges. This high-stakes political drama has put South Korea’s military, intelligence agencies, and top officials under intense scrutiny, as they grapple with the fallout from Yoon’s actions.
Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has testified in parliament, asserting that it was Kim Yong Hyun who ordered the deployment of troops to surround the National Assembly during the martial law declaration. This testimony has only added to the growing sense of crisis, with experts warning that the country’s democratic institutions are at risk of being undermined by the president’s actions. The political chaos in South Korea is also raising alarm among the country’s diplomatic partners, particularly the United States and Japan, which are closely watching the situation. Both countries have expressed concern about the potential consequences of a weakened South Korean government, which could destabilize the region and disrupt key alliances.
As the National Assembly votes on the impeachment motion, the future of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration hangs in the balance. The outcome of this vote will not only determine the president’s fate but could also reshape the political landscape of South Korea, with profound implications for the country’s democratic future. The nation stands at a crossroads, facing one of the most critical political crises in its recent history.
