South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces mounting pressure for impeachment following his controversial attempt to declare martial law earlier this week. The head of Yoon’s own ruling People Power party, Han Dong-hoon, warned on Friday that the president’s continued leadership poses a “significant risk” to the nation.
“If President yoon continues to hold the office of the presidency, there is a significant risk that extreme actions similar to the martial law declaration could be repeated, which could put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger,” Han stated during an emergency party meeting.
Yoon’s unexpected announcement on Tuesday, declaring martial law to combat what he termed “anti-state forces” and overcome political opposition, sent shockwaves through South Korea and even within his own party. The move was swiftly reversed after six hours, following strong opposition from parliament, including members of Yoon’s own party.
han confirmed that during the brief period of martial law, Yoon had ordered the arrest of key political figures. This revelation further fueled calls for impeachment from the opposition Democratic party, which has scheduled a vote for Saturday evening.
Adding to the pressure, South Korean national police have launched an investigation into Yoon, prompted by allegations of insurrection filed by opposition parties and activists.
While the ruling party initially opposed impeachment, Han’s statement suggests a potential shift in their stance. He cited “credible evidence” of Yoon’s intention to arrest and detain political leaders as a cause for concern.
The political crisis in South Korea has captivated international attention, raising questions about the stability of the country’s democracy and the future of President Yoon’s leadership.
The outcome of the impeachment vote remains uncertain, but the events of the past week have undoubtedly shaken South Korea’s political landscape.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s ruling party is grappling with a deepening political crisis as calls for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment gain momentum following his controversial declaration of martial law.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), delivered a scathing rebuke of President Yoon, stating that a swift suspension of his duties is necessary to safeguard the nation. Han,who was once a close ally of Yoon,cited the president’s failure to take action against military officials involved in what he termed “illegal intervention” as justification for his stance.
“I said yesterday that I would try not to pass this impeachment in order to prevent damage to the people and supporters caused by the unprepared chaos, but I believe that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s immediate suspension of office is necessary to protect the Republic of Korea and its people in light of the newly revealed facts,” Han said.
“Furthermore, he does not acknowledge that this illegal martial law is wrong,” he added.
Han’s faction within the PPP, representing a minority within the ruling party, voted alongside opposition lawmakers to overturn Yoon’s martial law decree. The party is currently engaged in intense deliberations, with lawmakers weighing the implications of impeaching the president.
Cho Kyoung-tae, a senior PPP lawmaker who supports impeachment, urged his colleagues to choose between siding with the people or aligning with what he termed “martial law forces.”
However, other lawmakers expressed concerns about repeating the political turmoil that followed the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, which led to a conservative party implosion and a victory for the liberal opposition.
“We cannot impeach the president tomorrow and hand over the regime to Lee Jae-Myung’s Democratic party. It is not for the sake of protecting President Yoon Suk Yeol, but for the sake of the Republic of Korea’s system and our children’s future. I cannot participate in the impeachment of the president tomorrow,” said Yoon sang-hyun, a five-time ruling party lawmaker.
ahn Gwi-ryeong, a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party, declared that the people had already effectively impeached Yoon psychologically.
The political landscape in South Korea remains highly volatile as the nation grapples with the fallout of President Yoon’s controversial actions and the potential consequences of impeachment.
South Korea’s political landscape is in turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, head of the democratic Party, has condemned the move as a blatant power grab.
“It’s an act of insurrection,” Lee declared. “It’s a pro-military coup.”
Fearing a potential repeat of the martial law declaration, members of the Democratic Party are taking turns occupying the parliament’s main chamber, effectively blocking any further attempts to implement the measure.
The situation remains tense as the nation grapples with the implications of this unprecedented move by President Yoon.
## South Korea on the Brink: an expert Weighs In on the Impeachment Crisis
**World Today News:**
The political landscape in South Korea is in turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s aborted declaration of martial law.
To help us understand the implications of this unprecedented event and the mounting calls for impeachment, we spoke wiht Dr. Kim Min-Jung, a political science professor at Seoul National University and an expert on South Korean politics.
**World Today News:** Dr. Kim, can you shed some light on the events that led to this crisis?
**Dr. Kim:** This situation is truly unprecedented in South Korea’s post-war history. President Yoon’s declaration of martial law,purportedly to quell “anti-state forces” and circumvent political opposition,shocked the nation. While alarm bells were already ringing about his increasingly authoritarian tendencies, this move demonstrated a blatant disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.
**World Today News:** The ruling People Power Party (PPP),initially hesitant about impeachment,now appears divided with party leader Han Dong-hoon calling for President Yoon’s suspension. What shifted the PPP’s stance?
**Dr.Kim:** the revelations about the arrests ordered during the brief period of martial law, coupled with the escalating accusations from the opposition Democratic Party and civil society groups, seem to have tipped the scales within the PPP. Doubtlessly, Han Dong-hoon’s statement, based on what he termed “credible evidence” of President Yoon’s intentions, signals a meaningful breach within the ruling party.
**World today News:** How significant is the PPP’s internal struggle?
**Dr. Kim:** This internal struggle is crucial. The PPP holds a majority in the National Assembly, making its vote decisive in the upcoming impeachment proceedings. If the PPP fractures further, President Yoon’s chances of survival diminish considerably.
**World Today News:** What are the potential consequences of this crisis for South Korea’s democracy?
**Dr. Kim:** The consequences are far-reaching. This crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in South Korean democracy and sparked intense debates about the erosion of democratic norms.
The international community is also watching closely,concerned about the implications for regional stability.
**World Today News:** What can we expect to happen in the coming days and weeks?
**Dr. Kim:** The impeachment vote scheduled for Saturday evening will be a defining moment. If President Yoon survives the vote, he will likely face continued political instability and a weakened mandate.
If impeached, South Korea will face a period of political uncertainty as it navigates the transition of power.Nonetheless of the outcome, this crisis has left deep scars on South Korea’s political fabric.
**World Today news:** Professor Kim, thank you for providing your expert insights on this critical juncture in South Korean politics.
**Dr. Kim:** My pleasure. This is a crucial time for south
Korea, and its citizens deserve transparency and accountability from their elected leaders.
