Political Crisis in South Korea: Calls for Yoon Suk Yeol’s Resignation

South Korea is gripped by a political storm as President Yoon Suk Yeol encounters escalating demands from lawmakers and citizens to either resign or face impeachment. These calls come in the wake of his unexpected declaration of martial law, which was lifted hours later amid intense public scrutiny, leaving many questioning the stability of his presidency.

Background on the Martial Law Declaration

The dramatic events unfolded on Tuesday night when Yoon, frustrated by his government’s struggle to push through legislative agenda with a parliament dominated by opposition parties, unexpectedly declared martial law. His aim was to suppress what he termed “anti-state” forces. However, this bold move proved to be a colossal miscalculation.

Within six hours, the National Assembly moved to rescind the declaration, highlighting a stark repudiation of Yoon’s actions. At approximately 4:30 AM Wednesday, during a cabinet meeting, Yoon was compelled to formally lift the martial law amid mounting political pressure.

Immediate Political Repercussions

The swift backlash was led by members of the Democratic Party, the principal opposition group that controls a majority in the National Assembly. They characterized Yoon’s actions as unconstitutional, accusing him of committing a grave act of rebellion against democratic norms. In a public statement, the Democratic Party declared, “President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was unconstitutional, lacked the legal basis required to enact it, and constituted a grave act of rebellion. This provides sufficient grounds for his impeachment.”

In an urgent response to the unfolding crisis, Yoon’s senior advisers and secretaries tendered their resignations en masse as pressures mounted. Cabinet members, including Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, faced increasing calls to step down, reflecting a loss of confidence in Yoon’s leadership. Reports cite that all members of the South Korean State Council have signaled their intention to resign, indicating widespread discontent within the administration.

Impeachment and Legislative Tensions

For the Democratic Party to successfully impeach Yoon, they would need a two-thirds majority in the 300-member parliament, a feat they might achieve given their control of 192 seats along with smaller opposition factions. This coalition was underscored by the fact that 18 lawmakers from Yoon’s own People Power Party joined with the opposition to vote against the martial law declaration in a unanimous 190-0 decision, shedding light on a significant erosion of support from within his ranks.

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun publicly criticized Yoon’s declaration, echoing the sentiments of many within the party who view the actions as beyond acceptable governmental conduct.

The Aftermath and Calls for Calm

If impeachment proceedings progress, Yoon’s presidential powers would be suspended pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court. In this scenario, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take over as acting president. Han urged calm during this tumultuous period, imploring cabinet members to “continue fulfilling your duties even in these challenging times.”

A Flashback to Authoritarian Past

The declaration of martial law marked a sobering moment for South Korea, reminiscent of the dark days of authoritarian rule that marked the country’s political history until the late 1980s. It has awakened fears of a regression to military-style governance that many had hoped was long behind them. The hastily enforced martial law, which lasted only a brief few hours, is South Korea’s first such event in over forty years and carries significant implications for public trust in the current administration.

Concluding Thoughts: Yoon’s Future in Jeopardy

The fallout from Yoon’s controversial decision has plunged the nation into considerable political upheaval, calling into question not only his administration’s stability but also his future as president. With the opposition rallying support for impeachment and internal dissent growing, Yoon’s leadership is under unprecedented scrutiny. As the crisis evolves, South Korea waits with bated breath to see whether Yoon will step aside or fight to retain his presidential seat amidst the clamor for accountability.

*The Associated Press contributed to this report.*