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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party is opposing efforts to impeach him following his failed attempt to impose martial law. The vote on the motion is set to take place on Saturday. Yoon accepted the resignation of his defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who played a key role in the six-hour period of martial law. Kim’s successor, Choi Byung-hyuk, has been appointed. Kim took responsibility for the martial law debacle but did not address whether it was his idea.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law faced opposition from lawmakers and the public, leading to a swift reversal of the order. The National Office of Investigation issued an overseas travel ban for Kim amid insurrection charges. Yoon’s chief of staff and senior secretaries resigned, defending the martial law declaration as necessary due to an impasse with opposition lawmakers.
Lawmakers plan to vote on the impeachment motion despite Yoon’s party opposition. If passed, a trial by the Constitutional Court will follow. U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressed surprise at Yoon’s decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding democracy and the rule of law in South Korea. Yoon has faced public protests and calls for his resignation following the martial law incident.
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