south Korea is grappling with a deepening political crisis following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law, which has been widely condemned as unconstitutional adn a “silent coup.”
Opposition leaders have fiercely denounced Yoon’s actions, accusing him of staging a second coup d’état. “No matter how they try to justify it (…) this is a second act of rebellion and a second coup d’état, illegal and unconstitutional,” declared Park Chan-dae, head of the Democratic Party, on monday. Parliament, largely controlled by the opposition, has largely rejected Yoon’s move.
The South Korean Constitution clearly states that the president remains the head of government and the armed forces unless incapacitated, resigns, or is impeached. In such cases, authority would transfer to the Prime Minister until a new election is held. Critics argue that Yoon’s attempt to relinquish his powers to the prime Minister and his own Peopel Power Party (PPP) while remaining in office is a blatant violation of the Constitution.
“Stating that Yoon Suk Yeol can remain in his post, while relinquishing his powers to the prime Minister and the PPP, is “a blatant violation of the Constitution, without any legal basis,”” Park Chan-dae emphasized.
Legal experts have echoed these concerns, characterizing the situation as akin to a ”silent coup.” Kim Hae-won, a professor of constitutional law at the Busan National Law Faculty, told AFP, “The situation is akin to a ‘silent coup’.”
Yoon is currently under investigation for “rebellion” by South Korean authorities. The former Minister of Defense, who served during the brief period of martial law, has been arrested. His office was searched,and several officials have been banned from leaving the country. The commander of the short-lived martial law has also been summoned for questioning.
Authorities have indicated that president Yoon himself could be summoned for questioning and that they are “considering” banning him from leaving the country as the investigation intensifies. Woo Jong-soo, head of investigations for the national police, assured the public that the police will conduct their investigations “in accordance with the law and rules, without any exceptions.”
Despite the controversy, the Defense Ministry maintains that Yoon Suk Yeol remains the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces. “Legally, (control of the armed forces) is currently in the hands of the commander-in-chief (Yoon),” said Jeon Ha-kyou, a ministry spokesman.
President Yoon, 63, apologized for declaring martial law on Saturday but stopped short of resigning. His approval rating has plummeted to a record low of 11 percent, according to a recent Gallup poll.
## South Korea in Crisis: Martial Law, Coup Accusations, and a President Under Inquiry
**The declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has sent shockwaves thru the nation and beyond. We spoke with dr. Han Ji-won, a leading expert on Korean politics and constitutional law, to break down this rapidly evolving situation.**
**Senior Editor: Dr. Han, thank you for joining us today. Can you help our readers understand the situation in South Korea? President yoon’s declaration of martial law has been met with fierce opposition and accusations of a coup.Can you shed some light on these claims?**
**Dr. Han:** Certainly. This is a highly charged and complex situation. President Yoon’s move to declare martial law is unprecedented in recent South Korean history and has indeed been met with strong condemnation.The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, are calling it a ”silent coup” and an unconstitutional seizure of power.
**Senior Editor: The South Korean Constitution outlines a clear line of succession if the President is incapacitated or removed from office. How does President Yoon’s delegation of power to the Prime Minister and his own party fit into this constitutional framework?**
**Dr. Han:** That’s the crux of the issue. The Constitution states that the Prime Minister assumes power only if the President is unable to serve, resigns, or is impeached. In this case, President Yoon remains in office, attempting to cede his authority while concurrently retaining his position.This is a complete departure from the established constitutional process and is being widely seen as an attempt to circumvent democratic norms.
**Senior Editor: Legal experts, including constitutional law professor Kim Hae-won, have also characterized this situation as akin to a “silent coup.” What are the potential legal ramifications for President Yoon?**
**Dr. Han:**
President Yoon is currently under investigation for “rebellion” by south Korean authorities. This is a serious charge, and the investigation is ongoing.The fact that the former Defense Minister, who played a key role during the brief period of martial law, has been arrested further underscores the gravity of the situation.
**Senior Editor: What are the implications for South Korea’s political stability and international standing?**
**Dr. Han:** This situation poses a meaningful threat to South Korea’s political stability. The public is deeply divided, and trust in the government has been severely eroded. Internationally, this crisis could damage South Korea’s reputation as a stable democracy, perhaps impacting its relationships with key allies.
**Senior Editor: President Yoon has apologized but maintains he remains the rightfully elected leader. What are the possibilities for de-escalation at this point?
**Dr. Han:** The path forward is uncertain. The immediate priority must be to ensure a peaceful resolution that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law.This likely requires open dialog between all parties, a commitment to clarity from the government, and perhaps even an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the declaration of martial law.
**Senior Editor: Dr. Han,thank you for your valuable insights into this developing story.
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