The South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, which lasted only six hours, to avoid the investigations against him. The impeachment motion, presented by the opposition in Parliament, accuses Yoon of having “seriously and widely violated the Constitution and the law”. According to critics, Yoon’s decision was “motivated not by national security concerns but by the intent to evade investigations” which also involve his wife, Kim Keon-hee.
Protests and tensions in Seoul
TO Seoulthe atmosphere went from initial shock to anger in the morning. Thousands of people gathered to demonstrate in defense of democracy and ask them Yoon’s immediate resignation. Spontaneous demonstrations took place across the country, with strong participation around Parliament, whose overnight vote against martial law blocked the presidential blitz.
The citizens, tired but determined, waved colorful signs and sang the South Korean national anthem. In the evening, tens of thousands of protesters participated in a large vigil and march to the presidential office in the district of Yongsan. Trade unions, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and that of the Hyundai conglomerate, they announced all-out strikes until Yoon’s resignation.
The parliamentary battle over impeachment
The impeachment motion, signed by 191 deputies, requires the favorable vote of 200 out of 300 parliamentarians to start proceedings at the Constitutional Court. Despite the People Power Party of Yoon has decided to oppose the impeachment, the vote remains uncertain, with the possibility of dissidents emerging within the president’s party.
Internal divisions and government resignation
The day was also marked by the resignation of the entire government and presidential staff. During a cabinet meeting, several prominent members, including the prime minister Han Duck Soo and the foreign and finance ministers, opposed martial law. However, the president persisted, supported by the defense minister Kim Yong-hyunwho was also the subject of an impeachment motion.
International reactions and markets
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that Washington was not aware of Yoon’s move, reiterating the importance of democracy in South Korea and hoping for a peaceful resolution. The United States, with 28,500 troops in the country, continues to consider Seoul a strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific.
Despite the political crisis, the Seoul Stock Exchange it reacted with relative stability, recording a decline of 1.44%. This is thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Finance and Central bankwhich have guaranteed an initial economic stability, although many uncertainties remain.