South Korean Police Investigate President Yoon Amid Political Turmoil and Impeachment Threat
South Korean police have launched an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol for potential insurrection following his controversial declaration of martial law, which has sparked widespread domestic and international criticism and political unrest.
Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, confirmed that the investigation was initiated during a parliamentary session. Yoon’s decision to impose martial law on Tuesday, intended to curb growing unrest, was widely condemned for banning political activities and imposing media censorship.
The situation escalated dramatically when military troops attempted to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul. A standoff ensued, only de-escalating when parliamentary aides armed with fire extinguishers confronted the soldiers, forcing them to retreat.
In response to the declaration, opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party announced plans to hold an impeachment vote this week, claiming that Yoon’s move had caused significant fear and confusion among South Koreans. “The Yoon Suk Yeol regime’s declaration of emergency martial law caused great confusion and fear among our people,” Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won stated during an early session in the National Assembly.
For the impeachment motion to pass, at least eight members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) must support the bill, ensuring a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament. However, the PPP remains largely opposed to impeachment, with prominent party figures expressing their backing for Yoon in the face of this political crisis.
To address the growing turmoil, Yoon accepted the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who had recommended the martial law declaration and ordered the deployment of troops to parliament. This decision, however, was made without the knowledge of Vice-Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, who later expressed regret over the military intervention. “I have fundamentally opposed the mobilization of military forces under martial law and have expressed negative opinions about it,” Kim Seon-ho said at a parliamentary hearing on Thursday.
The martial law declaration also drew sharp criticism from South Korea’s international allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern that the White House was not notified beforehand about the move, while Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell criticized Yoon for “badly misjudging” the situation.
