South Korea, opposition calls for impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol

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Six opposition parties call for the ousting of the president after the imposition and subsequent lifting of the state of emergency

South Korea’s opposition parties announced today that they have filed a motion of impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol. The decision comes in the wake of the imposition – and subsequent lifting – of martial law, an event that triggered a deep political crisis in the country.

The impeachment motion

‘We have submitted an urgently prepared impeachment motion,’ representatives of six opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party, said at a press conference. The motion was signed by 191 lawmakers, a sufficient number to start the process in parliament, where the opposition holds a majority. According to the initiators, the vote could take place as early as Friday or Saturday, after the formal presentation scheduled for Thursday in a plenary session.

From martial law to troop withdrawal

The situation came to a head yesterday when Yoon Suk Yeol announced on live television the lifting of martial law and the withdrawal of deployed troops. ‘The National Assembly has called for the lifting of the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the army,’ the president said. The lifting was approved at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, responding to a formal request from parliament.

A few hours earlier, however, the political climate was tense. In a dramatic address to the nation, Yoon had justified the declaration of martial law by accusing the opposition of ‘anti-state activities’ aimed at paralysing the government. Despite Yoon’s attempt to tighten control over the country, 190 lawmakers rallied urgently in parliament, voting unanimously to block the state of emergency. In fact, the South Korean Constitution provides that martial law is automatically lifted if a parliamentary majority requests its cancellation.

An unprecedented political crisis

The imposition of martial law, although quickly lifted, had a devastating impact on the image of Yoon Suk Yeol, who was already in trouble due to criticism of his handling of the country. The impeachment motion represents a crucial moment for South Korean democracy and could mark the beginning of a new political chapter. It remains to be seen whether the impeachment process, if approved, will be able to pass the scrutiny of the Constitutional Court, which will have the final say on the president’s removal.

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