South Korean Lawmakers Push To Impeach President Over Martial Law Debacle

South Korea is witnessing a seismic political shift as lawmakers move to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his unexpected and controversial martial law declaration. The National Assembly unanimously rescinded the order in an emergency session, but the fallout continues to shake the nation’s political stability.

The impeachment motion, introduced by opposition parties, could be voted on within days. To pass, it requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat unicameral parliament and approval from six of the nine justices on South Korea's Constitutional Court. While Yoon’s conservative People Power Party controls some seats, the opposition Democratic Party holds 191, making bipartisan support pivotal.

• Martial Law Declaration: Yoon cited the National Assembly’s budget cuts and its impeachment efforts against numerous officials as a pretext for military rule. His speech condemned what he called “pro-North Korean anti-state forces” and promised to “normalize the country.”

• Immediate Backlash: The National Assembly’s 190-0 vote to annul the martial law declaration included members of Yoon’s own party. Armed troops stationed around the legislature during the declaration evoked memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past, amplifying public outrage.

• Unconstitutional Justification: Experts, including Bruce Klingner of The Heritage Foundation, dismissed Yoon’s rationale as falling far short of the “war or national emergency” conditions required for martial law under South Korea’s constitution.

Yoon’s actions have left his presidency on life support. His declaration, described as “shocking” even by allies, has drawn comparisons to South Korea’s military dictatorships of the 1980s, a period the country has worked hard to leave behind. Opposition lawmakers argue that his order was an abuse of power meant to sideline political opponents, not a response to any genuine emergency.

Klingner summed up the president’s predicament: “Yoon, perhaps, is a dead man walking.” The backlash against Yoon raises the prospect of a leader less aligned with U.S. interests taking office a potential shift with global implications, given South Korea’s strategic importance in East Asia.

If impeached, Yoon’s presidency would join the ranks of scandal-ridden administrations in South Korea’s history. The stakes are high: a political vacuum could deepen divisions in an already polarized government, while questions loom about who might rise to replace him.

This dramatic turn of events highlights the fragile balance between power and accountability. As the world watches, South Korea must navigate this crisis with its democratic principles intact.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.