South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law
CBSDEC 2 2024
South Korea: Pres. Yoon Escapes Impeachment
Above: South Korean Pres. Yoon Suk-Yeol at the Presidential Office on Dec. 3, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. Image copyright: South Korean Presidential Office/Handout/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Yoon's impeachment is unavoidable and necessary to protect the Republic of Korea and its democracy from an unconstitutional power grab that endangered the nation's democratic institutions. The president's martial law declaration amounted to an attempted self-coup that warrants his immediate removal from office.
Narrative B
The impeachment motion was politically motivated and would have caused unnecessary national division and instability. A more orderly transition through party-led negotiations would better serve the country's interests than a rushed impeachment process. The PPP will take appropriate steps to stabilize the political situation.