Political Crisis Deepens in S. Korea
10 December 2024
The move to impose martial law in South Korea last week has sparked a political and social backlash across the country. President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived an impeachment vote in Parliament, but his future in the top job is seriously in doubt.
The South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been placed under a travel ban as an investigation begins into his declaration of martial law last week.
The President is being accused of treason by his critics, and faces investigation by the Korean Police, and a the Ministry of Justice.
The order was lifted six hours later after the National Assembly voted to end it.
A motion to impeach the president failed over the weekend, after the vote was boycotted by almost all sitting MP's.
Investigators are now considering whether the declaration of martial law amounted to an insurrection.
Mr. Yoon failed to tell the National Assembly he was about to declare martial law, as required by law. Even during the brief martial law period, the president had no right to detain lawmakers as was the case when he ordered troops into the Assembly to remove MP's.
The Opposition have accused both President Yoon and his former defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, of mounting an insurrection when they sent armed soldiers into the National Assembly in an attempt to shut down the government legislature.
Meanwhile the Korean prime minister and the leader of the ruling conservative party has announced plans to step into the role of President, and telling media that President Yoon Suk Yeol will not be permitted to be involved with any matters of state.
The power play has been criticised by the main opposition party as unconstitutional.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the ruling People Power Party would work with others in Parliament on operational matters relating to national governance.
"President Yoon will not be involved in handling state affairs, including foreign policy, even before his resignation," said People Party chairman Han Dong-hoon.
"We plan to minimize the turmoil (stemming from Tuesday's martial law decree) through President Yoon's orderly resignation."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo confirmed that the Cabinet plans to take a "humble" stance and work with the People Power Party in "matters related to national governance."
Asia Media Centre