South Korean police have launched a formal investigation after receiving two complaints accusing President Yun Seok-Yeong of treason.
Yun declared a short-term martial law on Tuesday night, shocking the alarmed country by saying in a nationally televised speech that military rule was needed to combat the malign influence of North Korea's communist sympathizers. Gave. As of press time, Yun had not named any of the alleged sympathizers or provided details about the threats he made that called for the imposition of martial law.
Martial law briefly lasted as members of Congress rushed to the Legislature and, exercising their constitutional authority, passed a unanimous resolution to overturn martial law. But to get to the polls, they had to fight their way through waves of soldiers deployed to enforce martial law's ban on political activity and endure minimal resistance from heavily armed fighters. . There were no reports of major injuries or deaths during the martial law phase.
Yun announced that martial law would be lifted by early Wednesday morning. He later held a meeting with leaders of the People's Power Party (PPP), which along with the country's other major minority parties loudly protested martial law, but did not mention South Koreans.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, began impeachment proceedings against Yoon on Wednesday. However, Yun also faces criminal charges for possibly committing rebellion or treason against his own government. The National Assembly is scheduled to vote on Yoon's impeachment bill on Saturday.
Korean News Agency Yonhap News reported The opposition Korea Reconstruction Party and a coalition of dozens of activists announced that they had filed two separate complaints against Yoon, seeking a declaration of martial law to begin formal criminal proceedings.
Yonhap News reported, “The indictment not only charges Yoon with treason, but also former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff Park Ahn-su, and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.'' The declaration was followed by the lifting of martial law on Tuesday. ”
Hwang Eun-ah, head of the Korea Reconstruction Party, was one of the first to publicly accuse Yoon of treason.
Hwang: “The president committed an act tantamount to treason by mobilizing the military.'' said on wednesday. “It is clear that he cannot remain in office much longer, so the impeachment motion must be passed immediately.”
South Korean media reports identified Kim, who was defense minister before Wednesday, as the only cabinet member who knew about and supported martial law. of Korea JoongAng IlboAs per an anonymous source, explained Mr. Yoon said he spoke exclusively to Mr. Kim about the plan by about 8pm on Tuesday, hours before appearing on television and imposing martial law. Kim and Yoon attended the same high school.
“Most of the ministers who attended the meeting reportedly learned about the agenda only after arriving at the venue. The process was conducted in secret.” Junan be familiar with. “Prime Minister Han Deok-soo arrived at the presidential palace and expressed his opposition to the declaration, saying it could have a negative impact on the economy.”
The report further said, “In addition to Han, Vice Prime Minister Choi and Foreign Minister Cho also reportedly strongly opposed the declaration due to its potential impact on the economy and diplomatic relations.”
Army Chief of Staff General Park Ahn-soo said South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday said it learned about the martial law from Yoon's televised speech, and that he only learned he would be the operational commander after the state announcement and after Yoon announced martial law itself.
Mr. Yun appeared on television and painted a dire picture of a country vulnerable to falling into the hands of North Korean influence.
Yun said, “I will declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, immediately eradicate the unscrupulous pro-North Korean anti-national forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of the people, and protect the free constitutional order.'' “I will.” he claimed. He has not specified the nature of the threat and does not appear to have convinced many countries that martial law is necessary.
Parliament voted against martial law shortly after 1am on Wednesday after dramatic scenes in which MPs had to fight soldiers to reach the chamber. Yun quickly recanted, but has yet to publicly defend his decision.
Yun's political party, the Democratic Progressive Party, publicly opposed the declaration of martial law immediately after his speech. Party leader Han Dong-hoon issued a statement saying the proclamation was a “mistake” and that the party would fight against Yoon “together with the people.”
“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.”
Han said On Thursday, he said in a meeting with Yin that he asked him to resign from his party membership and that the People's Party “does not seek to defend the president's unconstitutional martial law.”
The country's largest conservative party, the PPP, rose from the ashes of the Liberty Korea Party and underwent a dramatic reorganization after its last president, Park Geun-hye, was convicted of corruption and abuse of power and sentenced to 24 years in prison. Ta. Inappropriate relationships with members of cult leadership. Leftist President Moon Jae-in pardoned President Park in 2021, and President Park attended Yoon's inauguration ceremony. Yun was part of the prosecution team handling the case.
