South Korea’s Leadership Crisis Deepens
Prosecutors Investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol
Seoul, South Korea: South Korea’s leadership crisis deepened on Sunday as prosecutors named President Yoon Suk Yeol as a subject of a criminal investigation over last week’s martial law attempt, a media report said, and his former defense minister was arrested.
Impeachment Vote and Consequences
Yoon survived an impeachment vote in the opposition-led parliament late on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law on Tuesday, but the leader of his own party said the president would effectively be excluded from his duties before eventually stepping down.
That proposal, which appeared to win tacit approval from the Yoon-appointed prime minister on Sunday, drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers who said it was another unconstitutional power grab to delegate authority without resignation or impeachment.
Protests and Demonstrations
Thousands of people rallied in front of the parliament in Seoul on Sunday, calling for the impeachment and arrest of Yoon and the disbandment of his ruling party.
Yoon’s martial law declaration on Tuesday plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. military ally into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter South Korea’s reputation as a democratic success story.
Prosecution’s Investigation
The prosecution’s special investigative team arrested Kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister, on Sunday and seized his mobile phone, it said in a brief statement to reporters. Before the arrest, investigators questioned Kim, who voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday (1630 GMT on Saturday), Yonhap news agency reported.
The national police raided Kim’s office on Sunday as part of an investigation into claims of treason against Yoon and top ministers, Yonhap said.
Military Crisis
Hours before Saturday’s impeachment vote, Yoon addressed the nation in a televised speech to apologize for his martial law decree, saying he would put his fate in the hands of his party.
Han, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, said the comments were effectively a promise to leave office early, adding that the ruling party would consult with the prime minister to manage state affairs.
Constitutional Crisis
The main opposition Democratic Party called for the immediate suspension of Yoon’s presidential duties and for stripping him of authority to control the military. The DP called for the arrest of Yoon and related military officials implicated in the martial law fiasco.
Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against the decree.
Conclusion
South Korea is facing its greatest political crisis in decades, with a deepening leadership crisis, a constitutional crisis, and a military crisis. The outcome of this crisis remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fate of South Korea’s democracy and its international reputation hangs in the balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in South Korea?
A: South Korea is facing a deepening leadership crisis, with President Yoon Suk Yeol under investigation for his attempted martial law decree and his former defense minister arrested.
Q: What is the status of Yoon’s presidency?
A: Yoon survived an impeachment vote but is expected to step down soon, with his ruling party proposing a plan for him to effectively exclude himself from his duties before his eventual resignation.
Q: What are the consequences of the martial law decree?
A: The decree plunged the country into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter South Korea’s reputation as a democratic success story.
Q: How will this crisis affect international relations?
A: The crisis threatens to undermine allied efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea, analysts said, and North Korea may attempt to exploit divisions in Seoul.