South Korean MPs Move to Impeach President Yoon After Martial Law Attempt Sparks Outrage
Last year, South Korea was captivated by a political drama that dramatized a painful moment from its authoritarian past. It focused on the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee, which led to a military coup and martial law, plunging the country into years of oppressive rule.
This week, South Koreans watched in shock as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law live on TV, sparking fears that the country’s democracy was dangerously close to reliving that dark history.
Yoon quickly backed down, lifting the martial law order just hours later after lawmakers voted unanimously to block the move amid fierce public outrage.
However, the political fallout is far from over.
On Wednesday, six opposition parties filed a bill calling for Yoon’s impeachment, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Political analyst Sungmin Park from Min Consulting in Seoul described Yoon’s decree as “political suicide,” noting that the president’s position is now severely weakened. “The president lacks independent power now,” Park added.
An ignominious exit for Yoon wouldn’t be unprecedented. South Korea’s presidential history is filled with dramatic falls from power, including coups, imprisonments, impeachments, and even assassinations, as the nation transitioned from military dictatorship to democracy.
South Korea’s first president after independence from Japan was forced into exile after a student revolt in 1960. His successor held office for less than two years before being overthrown in a coup.
The most notorious period came under Park Chung-hee, who ruled with an iron fist for 18 years. In 1979, Park was assassinated by his own intelligence chief, triggering an era of political chaos.
After Park’s death, Chun Doo-hwan, an army general, seized power in a coup and declared martial law. He arrested political opponents, closed universities, banned political activities, and controlled the media. This period marked the last time martial law was declared in South Korea.
For those who lived through it, Yoon’s short-lived decree evoked painful memories of the oppression and terror of military rule. In 1980, Chun crushed pro-democracy protests in Gwangju with military force, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people. Chun ruled until 1988, when mass protests forced him to allow free elections.
Chun was later prosecuted for the coup and the Gwangju massacre. He was sentenced to death but was eventually pardoned.
Since the late 1980s, South Korea has evolved into a vibrant democracy, with regular protests, free speech, fair elections, and peaceful transitions of power. But the political landscape remains polarized, with presidents from both sides facing impeachment and legal battles after leaving office.
President Roh Moo-hyun, who served from 2003 to 2008, tragically committed suicide amid a criminal investigation after leaving office. His successor, Lee Myung-bak, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption. Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president and daughter of Park Chung-hee, was impeached and later sentenced to 24 years for corruption and abuse of power, though she was later pardoned.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University, explained that South Korean democracy often operates at high stakes. “Political parties rise and fall with charismatic leaders,” he said. “Scandal-hungry media and a public quick to mobilize make it hard for presidents to maintain approval.”
He added that the legacy of authoritarian rule means significant power is concentrated in the presidency, but the constitution limits a president to a single five-year term, making corruption and abuse of power common risks. However, he noted that once a leader loses the moral authority to govern, they also face swift and harsh retribution.
Yoon’s future remains uncertain, with calls for his resignation growing across the political spectrum. Impeachment proceedings are underway, and the main opposition party, the Democracy Party, is considering charging Yoon and his ministers with treason.
Yoon also faces rising dissent within his own party, which has criticized his martial law decision as unconstitutional. The ruling People Power Party is discussing whether to demand Yoon’s resignation and the resignation of his Cabinet. Several top officials, including Yoon’s chief of staff, have already submitted their resignations.