South Korean President Faces Impeachment

A man looks at a newspaper reporting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced his intention to lift the emergency martial law in Seoul, South Korea, 04 December 2024. EPA/HAN MYUNG-GU

South Korean lawmakers submitted a bill on Wednesday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law before reversing the move hours later, triggering a political crisis in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
The surprise declaration of martial law late on Tuesday caused a standoff with parliament, which rejected his 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 in parliament to impeach Yoon, with voting set for Friday or Saturday.
"It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down," senior DP member of parliament Park Chan-dae said in a statement.
There were deep divisions in Yoon's ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign.
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, parliamentary aides sprayed fire extinguishers to push them back, and protesters scuffled with police outside, Reuters reported.
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.
The president then rescinded the declaration of martial law, just about six hours after its proclamation.
Protesters outside the National Assembly shouted and clapped. "We won!" they chanted, and one demonstrator banged on a drum.