South Korea’s Impeached Prime Minister Testifies on Martial Law Plan
SEOUL: South Korea’s impeached prime minister, Han Duck-soo, has told parliament that "everyone" in a hastily arranged meeting of ministers expressed concerns about President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law plan before he announced it on December 3.
Han’s Testimony
Han, who was briefly acting president after Yoon was impeached and suspended from power on December 14, before being impeached himself, joined acting President Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, in facing parliamentary questioning over their role in the shock decision to impose martial law.
"Everyone objected and expressed worry and raised the problems with this decision to the president," Han told a special committee, referring to the meeting where Yoon told some cabinet members of his intention to declare martial law.
The Law’s Short-Lived Duration
The law lasted only around six hours before Yoon rescinded the order in the face of opposition from parliament, but it sent shockwaves through Asia’s fourth-largest economy and sparked a spiralling political crisis.
Challenges Ahead
Choi told the committee that the biggest challenges in the country right now include the livelihood of the people and changes in the international order.
"There’s the need to stabilise government administration," he said.
Yoon’s Impeachment Trial
Yoon appeared on Thursday at a hearing in his impeachment trial at the constitutional court, which will decide whether to reinstate him or remove him permanently from office.
Military Testimony
Senior military officials testified in the court about their role in deploying to parliament that night.
"My mission was to blockade the parliament building and the members’ hall, and secure those buildings," said Colonel Kim Hyun-tae, who led about 97 special forces troops on the ground.
Kwak’s Testimony
Kwak, the commander of the army’s special warfare command, has said he was told to stop 150 lawmakers or more from gathering, the quorum needed to vote down the martial law decree. Kim said he told Kwak his troops were not able to enter the chamber. Eventually 190 lawmakers defied the cordon to vote against Yoon’s decision.
Kwak took the stand at the court later on Thursday and faced Yoon in the same courtroom. Kwak has been saying that Yoon directly ordered him to "drag out" lawmakers while not asking him to protect civilians or withdraw his troops, contradicting Yoon’s claims.
Yoon’s Denial
Yoon has flatly denied any wrongdoing and allegations about attempted arrests of politicians. He has defended his decision as his right as the head of the state.
Conclusion
The ongoing political crisis in South Korea has raised concerns about the country’s stability and the role of its leaders in the face of opposition. The controversy surrounding Yoon’s martial law plan has sparked debate about the limits of executive power and the role of the military in domestic politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the purpose of Yoon’s martial law plan?
A: Yoon’s martial law plan aimed to give him greater control over the country and allow him to impose his will on the population.
Q: What was the response of the military to Yoon’s plan?
A: The military was deployed to parliament to block lawmakers from gathering and voting on the martial law decree.
Q: What has been the outcome of Yoon’s impeachment trial?
A: Yoon has been accused of abuse of power and is facing a possible removal from office. The outcome of his trial is still pending.