Lawmakers push to impeach Yoon

Fighting for democracy: Members and supporters of South Korean opposition parties gathering in front of the National Assembly in Seoul

THE nation’s lawmakers have submitted a Bill to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol after he declared martial law and reversed the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

The surprise declaration of martial law in the major US ally late on Tuesday caused a standoff with parliament, which rejected Yoon’s attempt to ban political activity and censor the media, as armed troops forced their way into the National Assembly building in Seoul.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment.

Six South Korean opposition parties later submitted a Bill yesterday in parliament to impeach Yoon, with voting set for tomorrow or Saturday.

“We could not ignore the illegal martial law,” DP lawmaker Kim Yong-min told reporters.

“We can no longer let democracy collapse.”

There were deep divisions in Yoon’s ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire Cabinet to resign.

Yong-hyun has offered to resign, the defence ministry said yesterday.

Yoon told the nation in a television speech late on Tuesday that martial law was needed to defend the country from pro-North Korean anti-state forces, and protect the free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats.

Chaotic scenes ensued as troops tried to seize control of the parliament building, although they stood back when parliamentary aides sprayed them with fire extinguishers while protesters scuffled with police outside.

Police attempting to hold back people trying to enter the National Assembly. — Agencies

The military said activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law command.

But lawmakers defied the security cordon and within hours of the declaration, South Korea’s parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion for martial law be lifted, with 18 members of Yoon’s party present.

Yoon then rescinded the declaration of martial law, just about six hours after its proclamation.

Protesters who gathered outside the National Assembly shouted and clapped.

“We won!” they chanted, and one demonstrator banged on a drum.

“There are opinions that it was too much to go to emergency martial law, and that we did not follow the procedures for emergency martial law, but it was done strictly within the constitutional framework,” a South Korean presidential official said by telephone.

Despite the overnight drama, Seoul appeared normal yesterday, with the usual morning rush hour traffic in trains and on the streets.

However, more protests were expected with South Korea’s largest union coalition, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, planning to hold a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Yoon resigns.

The US embassy urged citizens in South Korea to avoid areas where protests were taking place, while some major employers, including Naver Corp and LG Electronics Inc, advised employees to work from home.

Sales of canned goods, instant noodles and bottled water had soared overnight, said a major South Korean convenience store chain, which sought anonymity.

“I’m deeply disturbed by this kind of situation, and I’m very concerned about the future of the country,” said 39-year-old Seoul resident Kim Byeong-In.

The National Assembly can impeach the president if more than two-thirds of lawmakers vote in favour.

A trial by the constitutional court follows, which can confirm the motion with a vote by six of the nine justices. — Reuters