Six opposition parties in South Korea’s parliament have launched impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk-yol after he plunged the country into a political crisis by briefly declaring martial law. For many Koreans, the leader’s attempt to prevent his supporters from stepping down was reminiscent of the dictatorships of half a century ago.
The Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, and five other opposition parties launched impeachment proceedings on Wednesday, with a debate planned for Thursday and a vote scheduled for Friday or Saturday, the Financial Times reported. The Democratic Party also said it would bring treason charges against Yoon and the defense and security ministers, saying it believed the declaration of martial law was illegal.
“Yoon is a man who can push a button to start a war or declare martial law again. He is someone who can put South Korea in a dangerous situation,” said opposition party leader Cho Kuk. – We must immediately suspend his presidential powers by impeaching him.”
A day earlier, Yoon declared martial law, citing the actions of the Democratic Party. The reason for this was a bill to cut the state budget by a record 4.1 trillion won (about $3 billion), as well as plans to dismiss the attorney general and the head of the Audit Office. Yoon accused the opposition of trying to destabilize the country and remove him from power.
After this, the army and special forces began to take up positions on the streets. General Park Ahn-soo, appointed by the president to lead the emergency regime, suspended the work of the parliament and all political parties. However, the deputies did not listen and lifted martial law. The president’s own party also called on the president to do this. Yoon obeyed.