Chicago – December 03, 2024
South Korea’s main opposition party on Wednesday demanded that President Yoon Suk Yeol resign immediately or face impeachment, following his brief declaration of martial law that led to troops surrounding parliament. Yoon’s decision to impose emergency martial law on Tuesday night, citing the need to eliminate “anti-state” forces after struggling with opposition-dominated parliament, was overturned just hours later. By early Wednesday morning, the National Assembly had voted to lift the measure, which lasted only about six hours.
The opposition Democratic Party, which controls a majority of the 300-seat parliament, swiftly condemned Yoon’s actions and called for his resignation. They warned of potential impeachment proceedings if he fails to step down. Impeachment would require the support of two-thirds of parliament, or 200 members.
Yoon’s martial law declaration marked the first of its kind in over 40 years, evoking memories of South Korea’s military-backed governments, when martial law was sometimes used to suppress dissent. The swift reversal of the decree highlighted growing political turmoil in the country and raised concerns over the president’s leadership.
