Seoul – President Yoon Seok-yeol was thrust into an existential crisis over his failed attempt to impose martial law on South Korea, but he managed to avoid impeachment on Saturday as party members boycotted the vote.
But it seems unlikely that Yoon will regain public trust or properly fulfill his duties as the country’s leader during the remainder of his term, as he has publicly left all decisions, including his term, to his People’s Power Party, which is tasked with Stable nations remain shocked and angry over the failure of martial law.
Hours before an impeachment vote led by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday, Yoon said in a televised address that he offered his “sincere apologies” for causing “anxiety and discomfort” to the South Korean people due to martial law on Tuesday night. The vote against was reversed less than six hours later.
Yoon said he would not try to impose martial law again – apparently in response to rumors – but his promise of martial law was not what critics and those angered by his reckless actions wanted to hear. What they want is for him to decide to step down and take full responsibility for causing massive chaos in the country.
Yoon said in his speech that he “will not evade legal and political responsibilities related to martial law,” but whatever he meant, it did not include his immediate resignation.
Hours later, the opposition party, which holds 192 seats among the 300 members, voted on the impeachment motion against Yoon Zheng at the plenary session, but the motion failed to reach 200 votes after all but three members voted. quorum.
But the political showdown is not over yet. Democrats said they would file another impeachment motion early next week in a move aimed at forcing him to step down.
The embattled president also faces legal risks as authorities launch multiple investigations into martial law. On Sunday, prosecutors said they had named Yoon as a suspect on charges of rebellion and abuse of power related to the brief period of martial law, citing numerous complaints.
With the political arena expected to see renewed impeachment votes and boycotts in the coming weeks, South Korea’s government effectively faces a leadership vacuum, with the president remaining in office amid uncertainty over when he will step down.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People’s Power party, said in a joint statement with Prime Minister Han Deok-soo on Sunday that he would ensure the president’s “early” and “orderly” resignation to minimize chaos and stabilize the political situation.
Hanguo-yu said that even before leaving office, Yoon Eun-hye will not participate in national affairs, including diplomacy, but he did not disclose any details about how Yoon Eun-hye will leave office or what he meant by “orderly” departure.
Given that Han Kuo-yu said he would hold regular talks with the prime minister, the two are expected to be in charge of national affairs for the time being. But with protesters taking to the streets to increase pressure on Yoon to step down and political unrest showing no sign of abating, there is no road map for how long this emergency leadership will last and whether joint action will go smoothly.
It is regrettable that this political upheaval comes at a time when the country is facing many serious challenges. President Yoon said he imposed martial law out of “desperation,” but his reckless behavior left the South Korean people in urgent need of an orderly end to the national chaos he created.
