South Korea is facing a political crisis as President Yoon Suk Yeol finds himself at the center of impeachment proceedings after a dramatic attempt to impose martial law earlier this week. According to the sources of Leaders of Asia, among those reportedly targeted for arrest were Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, along with three other opposition lawmakers.
According to National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Hong Jang-won, Yoon sought to use martial law as a pretext to arrest political rivals and consolidate power. This revelation has prompted emergency meetings among political parties, with opposition lawmakers preparing to bring an impeachment vote against the president. Scheduled for Saturday, the motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, needing the support of at least eight ruling party members alongside the opposition’s majority.
As per the Leaders of Asia sources, in a surprising turn, Han Dong-hoon, who initially opposed impeachment, announced on Friday that there was “credible evidence” implicating Yoon in ordering the arrests on “anti-state charges.” Han expressed concern that Yoon’s actions posed a “great danger” to democracy, calling for the president’s swift suspension.
Reports have also surfaced that Yoon intended to detain the arrested politicians in a facility south of Seoul. Han warned that such “extreme actions” could recur if Yoon remained in power. Public outrage has been growing, with street protests erupting in Seoul and citizens urging lawmakers to support impeachment.
Special forces commander Kwak Jong-kuen has revealed he defied orders to forcibly remove MPs from parliament during the martial law declaration. He stated he refused to distribute live ammunition and ensured no harm came to civilians. Kwak and two other commanders have since been suspended for their actions during the brief imposition of martial law.
Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces,” was widely seen as a bid to address his domestic political struggles. The order was quickly reversed after opposition lawmakers, some scaling fences to gain access to the chamber, managed to vote it down.
Public sentiment has sharply turned against Yoon, with a recent poll showing more than 70% of South Koreans supporting impeachment. His approval ratings have plummeted to a record low of 13%, reflecting widespread discontent with his leadership, already marred by corruption allegations and a lack of legislative support.
As the impeachment vote looms, the president remains out of the public eye, while his political future hangs by a thread.
