South Korea on Wednesday demanded answers from Yoon after a series of senior presidential resignations, the opposition United Party filed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, and an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law on Tuesday night. I woke up to a confused ruling party situation.
Yun, an unpopular conservative who was narrowly elected in a closely contested 2022 election, declared martial law on television on Tuesday night. This was a widely unexpected move that shocked the public and international observers. Yun claimed that the opposition Democratic Party's obstruction of legislation had turned the National Assembly into a “den of criminals,'' necessitating military action.
Yun: “Martial law will be declared to protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces.'' announced“We must immediately eliminate the unscrupulous pro-North Korea anti-national forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people and protect the free constitutional order.''
The Democratic-controlled Congress sprung into action, storming the legislative chambers while heavily armed soldiers blocked entry, as political rallies are illegal under martial law. The Democratic Party has dominated Congress since it won a landslide victory over conservatives in local elections due to Yun's immense unpopularity.
Around 1 a.m. local time, parliament unanimously voted against martial law. Shortly after, Yun announced that martial law had been lifted.
As of press time, Yun had not explained his decision to impose martial law or reverse the drastic measures. entourage postponed Yun is scheduled to make his first public appearance on Wednesday, but it remains unclear when he will next speak.
In Yun's absence, the Democratic Party and Yun's party, the ruling People Power Party (PPP), are demanding answers. Democrats announced the following early Wednesday morning. pursue Impeach and remove the president from office as soon as possible. they are officially submitted The impeachment motion will be filed later Wednesday with five other minority parties.
Democratic Party: “Yun’s declaration of martial law is a clear violation of the Constitution” I wrote According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, in a resolution calling for impeachment. “This is a serious act of treason and is perfect grounds for impeachment.”
Lawmakers now have 24 to 72 hours to vote on whether to remove the president from office. Notably, not a single PPP lawmaker supported the impeachment motion, even though party leaders expressed outrage at Tuesday's martial law. According to Yonhap News Agency, given the current composition of the parliament, eight PPP members would need to defect in order to give a two-thirds majority to the motion needed to remove Yun from office.
Democratic Party representative Lee Jae-myung, whose candidate Yoon lost in the 2022 presidential election, issued a statement late Tuesday calling on the military to ignore martial law. For a long time, he was the president of the Republic of Korea. ”
Mr. Lee was among the lawmakers who stormed Congress as the military surrounded it. he live streaming He has posted a video on YouTube of himself climbing over the fence of the National Diet Building and climbing the wall to gain entry.
Lee has endured a tumultuous year that began when an assailant stabbed him in the neck. While he was recovering in hospital after being indicted on bribery and other corruption charges last year, several members of his own party threatened to leave the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Party controls Congress, but appears to have support from other minority parties as well. For example, Hwang Un-ha, leader of the small Korea Reconstruction Party, declared that Yun was guilty of “treason.”
Hwang: “The president committed an act tantamount to treason by mobilizing the military.'' saidThe Korea Herald reported. “It is clear that he cannot remain in office much longer, so the impeachment motion must be passed immediately.”
The newspaper pointed out that in South Korea, lawmakers must vote within 24 to 72 hours after receiving the impeachment bill.
Yun has also faced anger and turmoil within his own PPP. Party Chairman Han Dong-hoon was the first to condemn the declaration of martial law on Tuesday night, calling it a “mistake” and claiming that the party would oppose it “together with the people.” Wednesday, Mr. Han issued He apologized on behalf of the party, asked Yoon for an explanation, and also called for the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is said to have recommended the imposition of martial law.
“As the ruling party, we deeply apologize to the people for today's tragic situation,” Han said. said at a press conference Wednesday. “President Yoon should directly explain the tragic situation and hold those responsible accountable, including the immediate dismissal of the Minister of Defense who declared martial law.”
Mr. Yoon has not yet appeared in public at the time of reporting. meet Mr. Han and other leaders of his party were likely to explain their thoughts on imposing martial law on Tuesday.
conservative Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported On Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, Yin convened a State Council meeting to discuss the possibility of imposing martial law, but most of his senior advisers rejected the idea. “The president's ideas… were so rigid that no one could break them,” said an anonymous state councilor. Korea.
Another Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilboprovided something similar account The paper said on Wednesday, citing sources, that Yoon is facing internal pressure to remove Kim, as well as public declarations from the PPP leadership.
United reported On Wednesday, several of Yun's close aides tendered their resignation. Among the names listed were “Chung Jin-seok, chief of staff to the president'' and “chief of staff to the president.'' National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik. Policy Chief of Staff Son Tae-yoon and seven other senior aides. ” It is unclear at the time of this article whether Mr. Yoon has accepted his resignation.
