South Korean lawmakers initiated an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol in the early hours of Thursday, accusing him of declaring martial law to halt criminal investigations into himself and his family.
Yoon’s imposition of South Korea’s first martial law in over four decades was swiftly overturned by lawmakers during a dramatic night, plunging the nation into political chaos and alarming its international allies.
The future of Yoon, a conservative politician and former high-profile prosecutor elected as president in 2022, now hangs in the balance.
Opposition lawmakers, after forcing their way into parliament amidst scuffles with security forces to vote down the martial law decree, filed a formal motion to impeach Yoon.
The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of “gravely and extensively violating the constitution and the law” and claims that he imposed martial law “with the unconstitutional and illegal intent to evade imminent investigations… into alleged illegal acts involving himself and his family.”
“This is an unforgivable crime — one that cannot, should not, and will not be pardoned,” said MP Kim Seung-won during an early Thursday parliamentary session, where the motion was officially presented.
Under South Korean law, the motion must be voted on within 24 to 72 hours of its presentation. With the opposition holding a significant majority in the 300-seat legislature, only a few defections from Yoon’s party would be needed to secure the two-thirds majority required to pass the motion.
The opposition Democratic Party has also filed a criminal complaint against Yoon, some of his ministers, and senior military and police officials, accusing them of “insurrection” — a charge that could carry penalties of life imprisonment or even death.
Public anger at Yoon’s actions was evident, as thousands of demonstrators gathered near his office in central Seoul on Wednesday night, following a rally in Gwanghwamun Square, demanding his resignation.
The Seoul stock exchange fell by more than one percent on Wednesday, reflecting market unease over the unfolding crisis.
Even Yoon’s own ruling party criticised the martial law declaration, with its leader describing the move as “tragic” and calling for accountability. Despite this, party lawmakers reportedly decided to oppose the impeachment motion.
Martial Law Drama
Yoon justified the martial law in a late-night televised address on Tuesday, citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces.”
Over 280 soldiers, including those airlifted by helicopter, were deployed to secure parliament. However, 190 lawmakers defied the armed troops to enter the building and vote against the martial law decree.
South Korea’s constitution mandates that martial law must be lifted if a parliamentary majority demands it. Following the vote, Yoon rescinded his decision and withdrew the military in a televised address six hours later.
Senior aides and the defence minister offered their resignations on Wednesday, with the latter taking “full responsibility for the confusion and concern” caused by the martial law declaration. By the evening, Yoon had not made a public appearance.
The repeal of martial law sparked celebrations among flag-waving protesters outside parliament, many of whom had kept vigil through freezing temperatures.
“Yoon’s act of imposing martial law without legitimate cause is a grave crime,” said protester Lim Myeong-pan, 55. “He has paved his own path to impeachment.”
As night fell, more protesters gathered to demand Yoon’s resignation. “I couldn’t sleep a wink last night. I came out to ensure we push Yoon out once and for all,” said Kim Min-ho, 50.
Justifications and Backlash
In his televised justification for martial law, Yoon claimed it was necessary to “safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness.”
He accused the opposition Democratic Party of being “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime.”
Yoon’s approval rating had dropped to 19 percent in the latest Gallup poll, with public discontent over the struggling economy and scandals involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee.
The president’s actions reportedly shocked allies, including the United States, which has nearly 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea. Washington stated it had no prior warning of Yoon’s decision and expressed relief at his reversal.