The head of the National Police’s investigation department, Wu Kong-su, told MPs that the police had begun an investigation President Yoon Suk-yeol Accused of “rebellion” because of his announcement Martial law A few hours on Tuesday night before she forced him Legislative power To pick it up.
What happened in South Korea?
- In a surprise televised speech broadcast late Monday night, Yoon announced the imposition of a state of emergency in the country.
- Jun justified the move with the need to protect South Korea from “communist forces” and counter “anti-state” elements.
- June pointed to moves by the opposition Democratic Party, which controls parliament, to remove top prosecutors and reject the government’s budget proposal, saying those actions “threaten the stability of the country.”
- “For protection,” Yoon said in his speech South Korea Liberalization of threats posed by communist forces in North Korea and elimination of anti-state elements. It is hereby declared Urgent andMartial law“.
- After this announcement, the Minister of Defense Kim Young Hyun By holding an urgent meeting of senior military leaders, calling for an increased level of vigilance and remaining on maximum alertness.
- According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, security measures around the parliament have been increased, hindering the entry of lawmakers into the building.
- Authorities in South Korea closed The parliament building in SeoulHelicopters landed on his roof after a state of emergency was declared, according to Yonhap.
- Within hours of the announcement, Parliament, with 190 of the 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion to lift the state of emergency, including all 18 members of Yuen’s party present, and the president subsequently withdrew the declaration.
- Demonstrators in front of the National Assembly shouted “We won!”, clapped and beat drums.
- The developments come as Jun sees his government’s popularity plummet as he struggles to push his policy agenda through parliament, which has been controlled by the opposition since he took office in 2022.
Reasons for what happened
- The ruling People’s Power party reached an impasse with the opposition Democratic Party over the draft law on the budget for the coming year.
- Tensions have risen after Yoon rejected calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and senior officials in his government, drawing sharp criticism from his political opponents.
- Such events raise questions about the future of Yoon’s rule and the stability of the political situation in South Korea.
Resignation or impeachment
- The Democratic Party, the main opposition party, has called on President Yun, who is in office until 2022, to resign or face impeachment for declaring a state of emergency, South Korea’s first since 1980.
- The National Assembly can impeach the president if more than two-thirds of the deputies vote in favor. The Constitutional Court then holds a trial, which can be confirmed by a vote of 6 out of 9 judges.
- Yoon’s party controls 108 seats in the 300-member parliament.
- If Yoon resigns or is fired, Prime Minister Han Dak-soo will take over as president until new elections are held.