South Korea Martial Law History Of Military Rule In The Countr
BloombergDec 01
South Korea: Pres. Yoon Faces Impeachment After Failed Martial Law
Above: Members and supporters of South Korean opposition parties gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Image copyright: Tina Hsu/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
Six South Korean opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday, with 191 lawmakers — including one independent — signing the proposal, which requires a two-thirds majority (200 votes) in the 300-seat parliament to pass.
The move is in response to Yoon's declaration of martial law the night before, for which he cited threats from "anti-state forces." It was lifted within six hours after parliament voted 190-0 against the measure, including 18 members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP).
The Spin
Narrative A
Yoon has betrayed democratic principles and exposed his disregard for the Constitution. Justifying military intervention against political opposition, his misuse of authority was a clear power grab. Thankfully, the National Assembly's swift action and the military's adherence to democracy prevented a crisis. Yoon has become an anti-state actor and must be held accountable for his illegal actions.
Narrative B
While Yoon is primarily to blame for this dangerous overstep, the Democratic Party is also partly responsible for such an outcome. The opposition camp has misused its majority to threaten governance and public trust alike with impeachment motions against cabinet officials and budget cuts to undermine state operations. Democratic institutions in South Korea proved their resilience and maturity, now it's time to move the nation forward.
