South Korean police have launched an investigation into possible rebellion against President Yoon Suk-Yeol following his declaration of martial law, sparking widespread criticism and political turmoil. Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters, confirmed that the case was assigned for investigation during a parliamentary session.
Yoon’s controversial decision to impose martial law on Tuesday – aimed at banning political activity and censoring the media – has sparked outrage domestically and internationally.
The move, aimed at quelling growing dissent, led to a dramatic standoff when armed military troops attempted to storm the National Assembly building in Seoul.
The situation was defused only when parliamentary aides armed with fire extinguishers confronted the soldiers and forced them to retreat. Is President Yoon Suk-Yeol being impeached? In response to the chaos, opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party have announced plans to hold a vote this week to impeach President Yoon.
The party claims the declaration of martial law has caused widespread confusion and fear among South Koreans. “The declaration of emergency martial law by the Yoon Suk Yeol regime has caused great confusion and fear among our people,” Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won said during a morning session at the National Assembly.
If the impeachment motion succeeds, at least eight members of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) would need to support the bill, giving it a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament. Although the PPP is against impeachment, prominent figures have expressed their support for Yoon as he faces one of the most significant challenges to his presidency.
Yoon Suk Yeol attempts to stabilise the situation
In an attempt to stabilise the situation, Yoon accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who advised the president to declare martial law. Kim also ordered the deployment of troops to parliament, a decision taken without the knowledge of Deputy Defense Minister Kim Seung-ho, who later expressed regret for failing to prevent military intervention.
“I fundamentally oppose the mobilization of military forces under martial law and have expressed a negative opinion about it,” Kim Seong-ho said at a parliamentary hearing on Thursday. The martial law debacle has also drawn sharp reactions from international allies.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern that the United States was not informed in advance about the declaration of martial law, with Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell criticising Yoon for “misassessing” the situation.