South Korea in Turmoil: President Yoon Impeached Amid Martial Law Controversy

South Korea’s National Assembly has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a dramatic turn in the nation’s political history. The decision stems from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law earlier this month, a move that sparked widespread criticism and political backlash. The impeachment vote passed with a two-thirds majority—204 in favor, 85 against, with three abstentions and eight invalid votes—immediately stripping Yoon of his presidential powers.

A Leadership Void and Interim Governance

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, a seasoned diplomat and Harvard-educated former ambassador to the U.S., has stepped in as acting president. In a televised address after the impeachment, Yoon expressed regret but urged unity under Han’s leadership, emphasizing the need to prioritize national safety and stability.

“While my time as president may be paused, the journey toward our shared future must not come to a halt,” Yoon said. His five-year term, set to end in 2027, is now in jeopardy pending the Constitutional Court’s review of the impeachment.

The Path Forward: Constitutional Court Review

The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether to uphold the impeachment, though previous cases have been resolved more swiftly. If the court affirms the decision, South Korea will hold a snap election within 60 days to elect a new leader. The leading candidate is Lee Jae-myung, the head of the opposition Democratic Party and a staunch critic of Yoon. Lee’s agenda includes fostering engagement with North Korea, reducing reliance on the U.S., and recalibrating South Korea’s relations with China and Japan.

The Martial Law Controversy

Yoon’s martial-law decree on December 3 was justified as a response to what he described as a “disastrous crisis.” However, opposition lawmakers accused Yoon of premeditation, alleging fabricated provocations to justify the drastic measure. Public sentiment heavily favored impeachment, with recent polls showing over 90% of South Koreans supporting his removal. Yoon’s approval rating had plummeted to 11% prior to the vote.

Public Reaction: A Nation Mobilized

Protests outside the National Assembly drew over 200,000 demonstrators, double the turnout from the previous week. Amid chants and glowing LED candles reminiscent of the 2017 “candlelight revolution” that ousted former President Park Geun-hye, South Koreans celebrated the impeachment as a victory for democracy.

Lee Hye-joo, a 24-year-old political science student, described the vote as a testament to the nation’s democratic strength. “I don’t think the Constitutional Court can reject this because citizens have a great desire for change,” she said.

A History of Presidential Impeachments

Yoon is the third South Korean president to face impeachment. In 2004, Roh Moo-hyun was impeached but later reinstated by the Constitutional Court. In 2017, Park Geun-hye was removed from office following an influence-peddling scandal. Legal experts suggest Yoon’s case may be more straightforward, particularly given the focus on the legality of his martial-law declaration.

Broader Implications for South Korea

The impeachment has raised concerns about a potential leadership vacuum. Criminal investigations into Yoon and members of his cabinet, including acting President Han, could further destabilize governance. If Han is arrested or impeached, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok would assume the role of acting president.

In an emergency cabinet meeting, Han vowed to maintain stability, issuing directives to uphold national security, diplomacy, and economic order. “We will strictly adhere to the constitution and laws to ensure stable governance,” he said in a televised address.

A Nation at a Crossroads

South Korea now faces a critical juncture. Whether the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment or reinstates Yoon, the political landscape is set for significant shifts. For citizens like Na Jung-hwan, who attended the protests with his young son, the hope is for a brighter future and a strengthened democracy.

As one protest song resonated through the crowd, it encapsulated the mood: “In this world, where sadness repeats, now, goodbye to sorrow.”