The South Korean Parliamentbetween demonstrations and strikes in defense of democracy went on in the country throughout the day, preparing for Saturday, the day of the count on the motion of impeachment against the president Yoon Suk Yeolauthor of the short and clumsy Tuesday evening self-coup with the declaration of martial lawthen withdrawn after a few hours in front of an outcry from the streets and deputies. The Democratic Party Of Lee Jae-myungstrong of the majority in the chamber, is sure to reach the quorum of 200 votes to open proceedings before the Constitutional Courtbut the game is not over yet.
The Vote Count and the Opposition’s Moves
With minor allies, Lee starts from altitude 192: he will have to draw at least more 8 between 108 of the opponent’s field People Power Partythe ruling party. Its leader Han Dong-hoon he assured that he will do his best to prevent the motion from passing. His position, he clarified, is not to defend the declaration of martial law «unconstitutional» of the president, whom he has already asked to tear up his membership card and leave the party. But it aims to avoid political chaos.
The Democratic Party however, it focuses on the fact that some of the opponents will not want to be associated with the attempted authoritarian turn, therefore opting for theimpeachment. It already happened on the dramatic night between Tuesday and Wednesday, when a dozen deputies from the People Power Party he voted against the state of emergency, forcing Yoon to withdraw martial law.
The Chain Resignations and the Accusations
Meanwhile atNational Assembly today a preview of the brawl expected on Saturday was staged. The opposition continued the siege of Yoon and approved theimpeachment against the chief state auditor and three high-level prosecutors for their roles in the investigation of the transfer of the presidential office and the scandals involving the first lady Kim Keon-hee. Now they will all be suspended from their duties until the Constitutional Court will confirm or deny the indictment.
The administration of Yoon was thrown into chaos by martial law, with the entire government offering to resign en masse. Today the president, absent from public events for two days, accepted the minister’s step back Defense Kim Yong-hyunwho had suggested the adoption of the emergency law to break the political siege. The power of attorney of Seoul imposed a travel ban on Kim after a group of political parties filed a complaint that Kim, Yoon and Army Chief of Staff General Park An-suare accused of treason.
International Reactions
Convulsive and dramatic hours enough to destabilize the whole South Korea and to have strong repercussions on the dense network of international alliances. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken action to reassure embassies and chancelleries on future scenarios.
“What happened was completely, deeply unpredictable and unlikely, and I think President Yoon made a serious error of judgment,” commented the US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbellwho described the opposition to the decree from political parties and the population as “deeply reassuring” about the state of the democracy in South Korea. Joe Biden in recent years it has strengthened its alliance with Seoul and trilateral cooperation with Tokyokey points of its foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific.