From Martial Law To Impeachment
A play-by-play of South Korea's political turmoil since the six-hour declaration
Although the political fate of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had been written in metaphorical stone since he retracted the ill-fated martial law declaration early Wednesday morning, the process that led to his impeachment this Saturday was a turbulent affair.
It was dominated by K-pop protests, two impeachment attempts, and a ruling party wrestling with its conscience about whether to put country over party. In the end, at least 10 ruling party members sided with the opposition and unceremoniously stripped Yoon of his power.
This is the story of the eleven days after the martial law declaration. If you want to review the six hours that preceded to this story, check out this article by yours truly below.
December 4
After the sun rose in South Korea on Wednesday morning, the Democratic party declared they would impeach the president if he didn’t step down, with a bill that could be put in place for a vote 24 hours after submission. As the stock market opened, South Korean stocks immediately fell by 2%. Inside the cabinet, several ministers have already tendered their resignations over the martial law fiasco. By noon, a rally held by the Democratic party included supporters chanting “Impeach Yoon!” and “President Yoon Resign for Treason!” while officials called on the president to resign. Inside the administration, local media reported an emergency meeting that happened between Yoon, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and the ruling party’s leadership in the afternoon.
Before that news was covered by international media, South Korean MPs have kickstarted impeachment proceedings, aiming to get the proceedings done between Friday and Saturday. 190 opposition lawmakers from six parties joined in, hellbent on taking down the president. Meanwhile, South Korea’s largest trade union called for an indefinite strike, demanding Yoon’s resignation. Responding to calls for him to step down, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has offered to resign while taking responsibility for the declaration of martial law. By late Wednesday night, local media reported the People’s Power Party had decided to support Yoon and not vote to impeach him, while the president might deliver a speech on Thursday but not mention his future prospects. Analysts say Yoon’s political survival against “crimes of rebellion” hinges on eight votes from the People’s Power Party, making the stakes even larger as to whether the sitting president can maintain the support of his entire party.
December 5
We learned more details of the martial law coup early Thursday, as South Korea's vice defense minister Kim Seon-ho said the recently resigned Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun ordered troops to storm parliament, and Kim only learned of what’s going on through the news. Telling CNN for the first time since the martial law repeal, DP leader Lee Jae-myung shared the moment when his wife showed him Yoon’s video by saying: “It has to be a deepfake. There’s no way that’s real.” By evening, South Korean police were already investigating Yoon over insurrection allegations.
December 6-8
On Friday, the ruling National People's Party leader said that based on recent revelations, it is necessary to suspend Yoon's position as president, and it was decided that the impeachment vote would happen on Saturday afternoon.
Hours before the impeachment proceedings, Yoon apologized to the public for declaring martial law during a live TV address, promising never to attempt a martial law declaration again. Yoon admitted that his party would decide his fate, while opposition members were disappointed by the address. Fast forward to the afternoon, hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered outside the National Assembly both in support and against the president, mostly wanting Yoon to be impeached for good.
Inside the chambers at 5 p.m., lawmakers first voted on whether to open a special investigation against the First Lady over her stock dealings. But moments after the bill was introduced, ruling party lawmakers walked out of the main chamber before the impeachment motion was subjected to a vote, a boycott by all means. Even though more than a dozen ruling party lawmakers remained, the special probe into the First Lady was rejected. After the vote, there were only two ruling party members left in the main chamber, including senior ruling party member Ahn Cheol-soo, who was adamant that he would vote in favor of the impeachment, but the ruling party is sending a united message in supporting the disgraced president.
Minutes after the vote, local media reported the ruling party’s Choo Kyung-ho offered to resign from the floor-leader post soon, and protesters against Yoon expressed mass disappointment and anger at the People’s Power Party. At the same time, the rally of pro-Yoon supporters turned into a celebration.
Back in the chamber, opposition politicians were persuading PPP members to vote in support, leading to a delay in counting the impeachment votes for several hours. Kim Sang-wook, a PPP legislator who voted moments before he went on stage and addressed a cheering audience, announced that he voted against the impeachment, but insisted Yoon could not be president and his party needed to vote for impeaching the president the next round if he doesn’t do something to reassure the public. Back at the cowards’ side of the ranch, a local newspaper reported ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon would shortly announce a detailed plan for Yoon’s remaining time in office. After hours of lobbying and shaming, the impeachment vote ultimately failed after a successful boycott by the ruling People’s Power Party.
Opposition parties didn’t give up after one try, they announced they would re-propose the impeachment motion next Wednesday and aim for a Saturday vote. Reports claim PPP members are preparing for President Yoon to experience an “orderly exit,” but what was confirmed is the fact that South Korea’s ex-defense minister has been detained by prosecutors over the martial law declaration.
December 9-10
Straight off a failed impeachment attempt last Saturday, South Korean authorities banned its president Yoon Suk Yeol from leaving the country as he was investigated over the martial law attempt. After the Monday ban, Tuesday saw the National Assembly passing a bill to investigate Yoon with a special counsel probe.
December 11
Early Wednesday saw an escalation of legal events for former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who was formally arrested and charged with rebellion and abuse of power. Hours later, officials say Kim had attempted suicide in custody, while police authorities raided the president’s compound as part of the martial law investigation. However, investigation efforts were disrupted as Yoon’s presidential secret service blocked police from entering the president’s office. In the first statement since the martial law attempt, North Korea said that Yoon had plugged his country into “pandemonium,” while giving no hints on whether inter-Korean relations might be affected. In the meantime, political rumors swirled that Yoon might leave office as soon as possible by next February, while others claimed the ruling power was souring on their president and might vote to impeach him.
December 12
Yoon made a defiant public address on Thursday, insisting his martial law was legal and had no intention of destroying the Constitution. Furthermore, he showed no intention of stepping down and would “fight to the very end,” slightly dampened when he criticized the opposition for conducting the impeachment motion.
Speaking of the opposition, the leader of the People’s Power Party announced impeachment is the only way to relieve Yoon of his duties, urging party members to vote their own conscience.
On the subject of impeachments, the National Assembly voted to impeach the head of police and the head of the judiciary, hours before opposition parties filed another impeachment motion against Yoon. Meanwhile, the country’s intel commander claimed the martial law move had been planned for months.
December 13-14
A day before the impeachment, Nikkei Asia reported more ruling party politicians were supporting the impeachment motion against President Yoon. In a show of mass discontent, K-pop has become a key theme in rallies, with young protestors dancing and singing hit songs in defiance of Yoon’s rule.
By Saturday, it’s judgment day. As thousands of protestors gathered again in support and against the sitting president, with K-pop idols and cafes sponsoring food for protestors, opposition parties have declared they would hold an impeachment motion every week until Yoon is out of office. Based on local media reports, at least 7 PPP members are willing to vote for impeachment, which is still one vote short of passing the motion. Minutes before the actual vote, it was reported that the ruling party had reached a consensus of not impeaching Yoon. But in the end, a total of 204 members voted to impeach Yoon, meaning the impeachment motion has been officially approved. Outside the National Assembly, anti-Yoon protestors screamed with joy as the speaker announced the big news. Crowds celebrated by releasing balloons into the air, and chanting “Arrest Yoon” while the K-pop song “Into The New World” played in the background. In response to the impeachment, Yoon vowed to "not give up" and would do his best for the country "until the last minute." He also asked public officials to do their best to "safeguard public safety and happiness."
What Comes Next?
After his impeachment, Yoon’s presidential powers and duties will be suspended until the Constitutional Court determines whether to dismiss him as president or restore his powers. In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo takes over Yoon’s duties as acting president during that period, promising to stabilize the government. A trial will be held within 180 days, and court officials say proceedings for the “swift and fair” trial will begin next Monday. The president can only be impeached after six out of the nine justices vote in favor of the motion. However, given that there are only six justices in the Court due to three vacancies, this could spark more legal challenges given that at least seven justices need to convene to consider an impeachment motion. If not, all six justices must vote unanimously to impeach Yoon. Based on public information, it is very likely the Court will approve the National Assembly’s decision. If he’s thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.