South Korea’s opposition parties on Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, intensifying calls for his resignation just hours after he rescinded a brief and controversial martial law declaration. The move had seen troops encircle parliament before lawmakers voted to overturn the decree.
The impeachment motion, jointly submitted by the main opposition Democratic Party and five smaller opposition groups, will require a two-thirds majority in parliament to pass.
If approved, the motion must then secure the support of at least six Constitutional Court justices to remove Yoon from office. A vote on the motion could take place as early as Friday.
Mounting Political Turmoil
The dramatic events have thrown South Korea into political chaos. On Tuesday night, Yoon imposed martial law in an attempt to suppress what he termed “anti-state forces” hampering his agenda in an opposition-controlled legislature.
However, the declaration lasted only six hours before the National Assembly voted to nullify it. Martial law was officially lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting.
Yoon’s abrupt move prompted public outcry and deepened divisions. Protesters in Seoul held signs reading “Expulsion of Yoon Suk Yeol” and chanted slogans demanding his resignation.
Leadership Crisis
Amid growing pressure, Yoon’s senior advisers and secretaries collectively offered to resign, and several Cabinet members, including Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, are also facing calls to step down. Critics described the martial law declaration as an ill-conceived stunt that has damaged the president’s credibility.
Despite the turmoil, daily life in the capital appeared relatively unaffected. Traffic moved normally, construction noises filled the streets, and tourists and residents went about their day. Crowds of police holding shields were the only visible sign of the crisis in an otherwise calm and sunny December morning.
The impeachment effort underscores the escalating political instability in South Korea, as the nation grapples with the fallout from Yoon’s unprecedented actions.
