South Korean opposition lawmakers said Thursday they will vote this weekend to impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is under police investigation following the brief declaration of martial law.
Yun accused opponents of “anti-state” activities as he declared martial law on Tuesday in an effort to ban political activity and seek state control of the media. However, martial law only took effect for about six hours after the National Assembly passed a resolution overturning the president’s decision.
The shocking move sparked protests and worried South Korea’s international allies, including the United States. According to Reuters, Yun’s defense minister, who recommended this tough policy, has resigned.
A spokesperson for South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party of Korea told reporters that Congress will vote to impeach Yoon around 7pm local time on Saturday. The Democratic Party has a majority in this country’s Congress.
South Korean leader faces growing calls for impeachment, resignation or martial law
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol speaks in a pre-recorded interview on KBS TV at the presidential palace in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday, February 4, 2024. (South Korean presidential office, via AP, file)
According to Reuters, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won earlier stated in the National Assembly, “The Yun Seok-Yeong administration’s declaration of emergency martial law has caused great confusion and fear among the people.”
To impeach a president, approval is required by two-thirds of the 300 members of Congress, or 200 votes. The Democratic Party and other small opposition parties together hold 192 seats. However, when the National Assembly rejected Yun’s declaration of martial law by a vote of 190-0, 18 members of Yun’s ruling party, the People’s Power Party, voted against the president’s decision.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People’s Power Party, criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration as “unconstitutional.” However, the party has announced that it opposes impeachment.
If Yoon is impeached, he will lose his constitutional powers until the Constitutional Court decides his fate. Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, who is the second-in-command of the South Korean government, will take over the presidential position.
South Korean president lifts martial law after lawmakers reject the move
December 4, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea: Support for South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol and criticize opposition politicians after the president suddenly declared martial law last night, which was rescinded hours later. Protesters from conservative groups participate in a rally. (Reuters/Kim Kyung-hoon)
With his political future uncertain, Yoon on Thursday accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Kim had suggested that the president declare martial law after his domestic agenda was blocked in the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, Kim is currently under investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on suspicion of treason. Former defense officials are prohibited from traveling.
According to Yonhap News, police are investigating Yoon for treason after activists and a minority opposition party filed charges against the president.
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Last night, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, members of the National Assembly, and members of the public attended a rally condemning the sudden declaration of martial law by the South Korean president and calling for his resignation. April 2024. (Reuters/Kim Hongji)
The complaint charges not only Yun and Kim, but also Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-soo and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min with treason and other charges for their roles in Tuesday’s declaration of martial law. He has been charged with related charges.
Yun is under pressure to resign ahead of Saturday’s impeachment vote.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Reuters that the United States was not informed of Mr. Yun’s declaration in advance, while Acting Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Mr. Yun’s judgment had been badly misguided.
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The United States has 28,500 military personnel stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Yun’s declaration of martial law was the first in more than 40 years. There has been no military intervention since South Korea achieved true democracy in the late 1980s.
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion and Reuters contributed to this report.
