South Korean President Yoon’s political implosion, from martial law to impeachment
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President Yoon Suk Yeol delivering an address to the nation at his official residence in Seoul on Dec 14.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on Dec 14, suspending him from his official duties, capped 11 days of political crisis that roiled the country, sparked by his surprise decision to impose martial law.
Here are key events from martial law to impeachment:
Dec 3: Shortly before 10.30pm local time, Mr Yoon declares on national television that he is
imposing martial law
to root out “anti-state forces” and overcome political deadlock.An hour later, the military issues a decree banning activity by political parties and lawmakers, and troops and police descend on the opposition-controlled Parliament. Staff use barricades and fire extinguishers to ward off special operations soldiers who arrive by helicopter and break windows as they enter Parliament. Lawmakers hop over fences to avoid security cordons and crowds of protesters gather.
Dec 4: Defying the military’s order, in the early hours of the day, 190 lawmakers unanimously vote to reject Mr Yoon’s declaration and troops begin to leave.
About three and a half hours later, Mr Yoon gives another televised speech, announcing that he is lifting martial law. The decree was in effect for about six hours.
Opposition parties submit a motion to impeach Mr Yoon.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says Mr Yoon “badly misjudged” his decision to declare martial law, which was “deeply problematic” and “illegitimate”.
Dec 5: Mr Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP), although divided, decides to oppose his impeachment.
Mr Yoon accepts the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Police investigate Mr Yoon, Mr Kim and the Interior Minister on accusations of treason and related crimes over the declaration of martial law, after opposition parties and activists file complaints.
Dec 6: PPP leader Han Dong-hoon says Mr Yoon must be removed from power for trying to impose martial law. Some party members urge the President to resign.
Dec 7: Mr Yoon addresses the nation to apologise, saying he will put his fate in the hands of the PPP, but not saying that he will resign.
A vote to impeach Mr Yoon fails as the PPP boycotts the vote, depriving Parliament of a quorum.
Dec 8: Prosecutors name Mr Yoon as the subject of a criminal investigation over the martial law attempt.
Former defence minister Kim is arrested
.Dec 9: The Justice Ministry bars Mr Yoon from leaving South Korea.
Dec 10: Lieutenant-General Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells a parliamentary committee that Mr Yoon gave an order to “drag out” lawmakers from Parliament after declaring martial law.
Mr Yoon’s office says it has “no official position” on who is running the country, amid questions over PPP discussions for a caretaker government.
Former defence minister Kim
attempts suicide
.Dec 11: Police try to search Mr Yoon’s office but are blocked from entering the building.
Dec 12: Mr Yoon says in another televised speech that he will “fight to the end”, alleging that North Korea had hacked South Korea’s election commission and expressing doubt over his party’s landslide election defeat in April. The National Election Commission denies the claim.
Seven PPP members declare their intention to support an impeachment, one short of the number needed for the motion to pass.
Dec 14: Parliament impeaches Mr Yoon with the support of 204 of the 300 lawmakers in the one-Chamber Parliament. At least 12 PPP members vote to impeach.
Mr Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended
, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president.
The Constitutional Court receives Parliament’s impeachment declaration. It will have six months to decide whether to remove or reinstate him. REUTERS
