SEOUL,South Korea – South Korea’s political landscape is in turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law. The main opposition party, the democratic Party (DP), has vowed to renew its impeachment efforts against the president, setting the stage for a renewed political showdown.
the situation escalated dramatically on Sunday when police arrested kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister who oversaw the martial law operation. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min also resigned, both officials facing investigations for alleged insurrection. President Yoon himself is also under inquiry for his role in the events.
Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment late Saturday as massive crowds, undeterred by freezing temperatures, gathered outside parliament demanding his removal from office. While opposition parties proposed the impeachment motion, it failed to pass due to a near-total boycott by Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP).
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the DP, declared on Sunday that the party would press forward with another impeachment attempt on December 14th. “Yoon, the principal culprit behind the insurrection and military coup that destroyed South Korea’s constitutional order, must either resign immediately or be impeached without delay,” Lee stated.
“On december 14, our Democratic Party will impeach Yoon in the name of the people.”
A ‘Soft Coup’?
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In exchange for blocking Yoon’s impeachment, the PPP claimed to have secured “an effective promise” from the president to step down. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated after a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo that yoon would refrain from interfering in state affairs, including foreign policy, until his departure.
“This will minimise the confusion to South Korea and its people, stably resolve the political situation and recover liberal democracy,” Han told reporters.
Though, Lee and National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik, both from the DP, denounced the arrangement as illegal. “For the prime minister and the ruling party to jointly exercise presidential authority, which no one has granted them, without participating in constitutional processes to address unconstitutional martial law, is a clear violation of the Constitution,” Woo asserted.
“The power of the president is not the personal property of President Yoon Suk Yeol,” Lee added. “Isn’t this another coup that destroys the constitutional order?”
Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University law School, characterized the situation as an “unconstitutional soft coup.” “In reality, a political party is merely a private political entity, and handing over the president’s functions to an entity that is neither a constitutional institution nor a state body seems like an action that disrupts the state’s rights,” Kim explained.
Apology and Protests
On Saturday, before the impeachment vote, yoon, 63, reappeared publicly for the first time in three days, offering an apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law declaration. However, he stopped short of resigning, leaving his fate in the hands of his party.
Massive crowds, estimated by police at 150,000 and by organizers at one million, converged outside parliament, urging lawmakers to remove the president. Protesters, many in elaborate costumes, carried homemade flags, waved glow sticks and LED candles, and danced to K-pop music.
“even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted today, I am neither discouraged nor disappointed as we will get it eventually,” said protester Jo Ah-gyeong, 30, after the impeachment vote. “I’ll keep coming here until we get it.”
Ongoing Investigations
Irrespective of the political standoff, police are investigating Yoon and others for alleged insurrection stemming from the unusual events of Tuesday night. Early Sunday, police arrested Kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister who resigned on Wednesday and was subsequently banned from travel. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min tendered his resignation on Sunday, which was accepted by Yoon’s office.
Yoon declared martial law late Tuesday, claiming it was necessary to safeguard south Korea.
In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to dissolve parliament was thwarted by lawmakers who defied a military lockdown. The unprecedented move, which aimed to address what Yoon described as “threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness,” sent shockwaves through the nation and its allies.
Security forces descended upon the National Assembly, with helicopters landing on the roof and nearly 300 soldiers attempting to secure the building. However, persistent parliamentary staffers valiantly resisted, using sofas and fire extinguishers to block the soldiers’ advance.
“This is a country we’ve spent our entire lives building,” said Shin Jae-hyung,a 66-year-old who endured arrest and torture during the 1970s and 80s while fighting against military dictatorships. ” — AFP
Despite the intense standoff,enough lawmakers managed to enter the building,some even scaling walls to gain access. Inside, they voted down Yoon’s proposal, effectively quashing his attempt to dissolve parliament.
The incident evoked chilling memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past and caught its allies off guard. The US administration,reportedly learning of the events through television broadcasts,expressed surprise and concern.
## South Korea on the Brink: A Coup in Disguise?
**World-Today-news Exclusive Interview with Professor Kim Hae-won**
**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korea teeters on the edge of a constitutional crisis after president Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law. The opposition Democratic Party (DP) vows to renew impeachment efforts, setting the stage for another explosive confrontation.
In an exclusive interview with World-Today-News, Professor Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law expert at Pusan National University Law School, deconstructs the unfolding political drama, shedding light on the legality and implications of President Yoon’s actions.
**WTN:** Professor Kim,President Yoon’s declaration of martial law has been described by many as a “coup.” Do you agree with this assessment?
**Professor Kim:** While not a conventional military coup, the situation bears alarming similarities. President Yoon’s unilateral decision to invoke martial law, without proper justification or parliamentary approval, represents a severe deviation from constitutional norms.The subsequent power transfer agreement between the ruling People power Party (PPP) and the Prime Minister, effectively sidelining the President, further exacerbates concerns about democratic processes being bypassed.
**WTN:** The PPP argues this arrangement is a necessary step to stabilize the situation and ensure a smooth transition. How do you assess this claim?
**Professor Kim:** This “soft coup” arrangement, as I term it, is deeply problematic. It grants the PPP and Prime minister powers that constitutionally belong exclusively to the President. this violates the separation of powers principle enshrined in South Korea’s democratic system. Moreover, it circumvents established constitutional mechanisms, setting a hazardous precedent for bypassing democratic accountability.
**WTN:** The DP accuses the PPP of orchestrating a “coup” and vows to continue impeachment efforts. What are the legal grounds for impeachment in this scenario?
**Professor Kim:** The DP can rightfully argue that President Yoon’s martial law declaration, the subsequent power vacuum, and the erosion of constitutional procedures constitute “high crimes and misdemeanors” – grounds for impeachment as defined in the South Korean Constitution.
**WTN:** What potential implications could these events have for South Korea’s democracy and international standing?
**Professor Kim:** This situation poses a grave threat to South korean democracy. If left unchecked, it could set a dangerous precedent for future power grabs.
Internationally, the image of South Korea as a beacon of democratic values suffers a serious blow. The international community is watching closely, and a failure to uphold constitutional principles will undoubtedly damage South Korea’s standing on the global stage.
**WTN:** What steps should be taken to restore constitutional order and prevent a deepening of the crisis?
**Professor Kim:** A swift and transparent examination into the circumstances leading to the martial law declaration is imperative.
The judiciary must play a vital role in upholding the Constitution, ensuring that the appropriate legal processes are followed, and holding those responsible accountable.
Ultimately, South Korea needs a demonstrable commitment from all political actors to abide by democratic principles and resolve this crisis through constitutional means. Failure to do so risks plunging the nation into further instability and jeopardizing its democratic future.
