South Korea’s political crisis deepened on Friday as the leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) called for the immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of endangering the nation with an attempted martial law declaration. This comes after the government denied reports that it was preparing to issue another such declaration.
The controversy began on Tuesday when President Yoon stunned the country, including members of his own ruling party, by granting the military sweeping emergency powers to suppress what he described as “anti-state forces” and to break the gridlock caused by political opponents. The decision was swiftly rescinded six hours later after a vote in parliament, including members of Yoon’s own party, opposed the move.
However, the backlash from the opposition has been swift. The Democratic Party, the main opposition group, has submitted a motion to impeach Yoon, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for Saturday. Meanwhile, President Yoon’s actions have sparked fear that another attempt at martial law could be in the works. Opposition lawmakers staged protests to prevent any such move, and some have called for Yoon to be removed from office before the impeachment vote.
Impeachment Threats and Public Outcry
Speaking after a PPP meeting on Friday, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s party, condemned the president’s actions, saying that the decision to use military force against political figures put South Korea in “great danger.” Han expressed concern that similar extreme actions could be repeated under Yoon’s leadership. He emphasized that the country’s stability and safety were at risk, and he suggested that Yoon should be suspended immediately.
“The immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol is necessary to protect the Republic of Korea and its people,” Han said, pointing to what he described as “credible evidence” that the president had planned to arrest political leaders. Han stopped short of directly calling for impeachment but did not rule out such a move.
While the ruling party leadership initially opposed impeachment, some members have begun to shift their stance, urging Yoon to step down voluntarily to avoid a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. The downfall of Park had triggered a crisis within the conservative party, ultimately leading to the rise of the liberals.
Political Tensions and Ongoing Investigations
Yoon, who has not appeared in public since rescinding his martial law decree on Wednesday, did not attend the PPP meeting on Friday. Media reports suggesting that he was on his way to parliament sparked further protests from opposition lawmakers, who set up barriers to block his access. Despite these reports, Yoon’s office denied that he planned to attend parliament, further fueling the political tension.
Amidst the political turmoil, national police have launched investigations into the president’s actions, as well as those of former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly played a role in advising Yoon to impose martial law. Kim has since resigned from his position. A joint investigation into the matter by government and military prosecutors is also underway.
The crisis has laid bare the deep divisions within the government and the military. According to reports, Kwak Jong-geun, the special warfare commander, defied an order from the defence minister to forcibly remove lawmakers from parliament, instead instructing his troops not to engage. Kwak’s defiance highlights the growing resistance within the military and underscores the volatile situation facing the country.
Public Outrage and Falling Approval
The political upheaval has triggered a wave of public outrage. Images of Ahn Gwi-ryeong, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, grappling with a soldier outside parliament as she attempted to seize his weapon, went viral on social media, symbolizing the defiance against Yoon’s controversial move. Ahn expressed disbelief at the president’s actions, calling his attempt to declare martial law “childish” and saying, “Who could trust a president like this, who plays games with the nation’s future?”
Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted to an all-time low of 13%, according to the latest Gallup Korea poll. This marks a dramatic fall for a leader who was once seen as a stabilizing force after his election earlier this year. The political fallout from this martial law controversy will likely continue to ripple through South Korea’s political landscape in the coming days, as opposition parties push for accountability and the government struggles to regain its footing.
