Plot Twist: South Korean Parliament Votes Out President Yoon Suk Yeol!

The National Assembly of South Korea has officially voted for the impeachment of the President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision reflecting the political tension which is increasing in the country, amidst its leader's controversy.

The controversy 

Impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol is triggered by allegations that he is failed to performs its duties well, including controversies related to domestic and international policies deemed detrimental to the people. In a tense session, the majority of lawmakers supported the impeachment motion filed by the opposition.

The Opposition highlighted the failures of the Yoon administration, ranging from the management of economic issues to foreign policy.They also alleged that the President had violated the constitution and put personal interests and certain groups above the national interests of the country.

On December 3, 2024, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol causes political chaos and huge protests by angry South Koreans against the President. Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in an unannounced nationally televised address at 10:30 p.m. (KST), citing the need to protect the country from "North Korean communist forces" and "antistate forces," and to "rebuild and protect" South Korea from "falling into ruin." This is the first time martial law has been declared since 1980 when a military coup was carried out by Chun Doo-hwan after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.

By declaring an emergency martial law, President Yoon can now "[restrict] the freedom of speech, publication, assembly and association" and implement "special changes to the authority of governments or courts and a warrant system in accordance with the provisions of related laws."

How has the opposition and public reacted to the martial law declaration?

The opposition Democratic Party immediately called on lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly, with party leader Lee Jae-myung urging them and Koreans to "safeguard the crumbling democracy." 

Even members of President Yoon's own party, including People's Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, opposed the declaration, stating, "This is an unlawful and unconstitutional declaration of martial law. The Republic of Korea is a free democracy, and we will protect our democracy with the people."

South Koreans gathered in front of the National Assembly, where clashes reportedly erupted between the military and civilians as martial law forces attempted to enter the building.
They accused President Yoon of using military power to suppress political opposition and silence the voice of the people. Large protests took place in major cities, with thousands of citizens taking to the streets against the decision.

Consequences of the controversy

The impeachment is a consequence of the controversy caused by Yoon Suk Yeol. With the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol as a president he is automatically suspended from office while South Korea's Constitutional Court deliberates his fate. Although the impeachment is not yet final. The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to review the parliament's decision and decide whether the impeachment is legitimate. If the court agrees, Yoon Suk Yeol will be removed from office, and a presidential election will be scheduled.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will act as acting president in place of Yoon Suk Yeol until a final decision is announced. He in a statement, Han vowed to that he "will devote all my strength and efforts to ensure stable governance."

Author opinions: 

Moving forward, South Korea faces major challenges in maintaining its political and economic stability. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the accompanying political tensions are creating uncertainty within the country. If the Constitutional Court decides in favor of impeachment, this could trigger a major change in government and affect South Korea's international relations, particularly with its allies such as the United States and Japan. 

In addition, the new government's foreign policy will largely determine the direction of relations with North Korea and geopolitical challenges in the East Asian region. On the domestic front, political instability could affect economic growth, given that South Korea relies on the technology and industrial sectors for its global competitiveness. Therefore, to maintain a strong position in the international arena, South Korea needs to navigate this political crisis carefully and ensure that democratic principles and economic stability are maintained.