South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has been ousted from office. The country’s constitutional court made the decision after he tried to impose martial law last December. Yoon is now facing charges of treason.
The 64-year-old leader shocked the nation when he declared martial law on December 3. But the order was short-lived, as the parliament opposed it and voted to remove him from office. Under South Korean law, a new leader must be elected within 60 days.
The court’s decision has received mixed reactions, reflecting the country’s deep political divide. Opponents of Yoon are celebrating, while his supporters are expressing outrage.
Yoon is the first South Korean president to face treason charges while in office. Treason is punishable by life imprisonment or even death, although the latter is unlikely since South Korea has not carried out an execution in decades.
A Troubled Presidency
Yoon’s presidency has been marked by controversy. He was arrested in January after a confrontation between investigators and his security team. He was released in March on technical grounds.
Yoon claimed that his decision to impose martial law was a response to opposition parties trying to undermine democracy. However, the real reason seems to be political pressure and personal scandals.
Before becoming president, Yoon was a prosecutor who gained fame for investigating former President Park Geun-hye in 2016. He won the presidential election in 2022 by a narrow margin, with less than 1% separating him from his opponent, Lee Jae-myung.
Rise to Power
Yoon’s rise to power was unexpected. He was a newcomer to politics, but his tough stance on corruption and his prosecution background resonated with voters.
However, his presidency has been marred by controversies. He has been accused of being anti-feminist and has taken a hardline stance against North Korea, citing security concerns as a reason for imposing martial law.
Scandals and Blunders
During his campaign, Yoon praised former dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who was responsible for the deaths of many civilians. He was also caught on camera swearing at a US Congress member during a trip to New York.
One of the biggest scandals surrounding Yoon involves his wife, Kim Keon-hee, who was accused of accepting luxury gifts and using her influence to meddle in state affairs.
Yoon apologized to the public on behalf of his wife but refused to investigate the allegations, further eroding his popularity.
Declaring Martial Law: A Fatal Mistake
As opposition parties gained strength, Yoon declared martial law in a last-ditch attempt to maintain power. However, this move was seen as a blatant abuse of authority and a grave mistake.
Professor Leif-Erik Easley from Ewha Womans University said that Yoon’s decision was a clear overstep of his powers and a sign of his desperation. With his low popularity and lack of support, even within his own party, Yoon should have known that he did not have the power to enforce such an order.
Uncertain Future
The aftermath of Yoon’s ousting has left the country in a state of uncertainty. High-ranking officials, including former defense ministers, police chiefs, and military leaders, are being investigated.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has split, with some members continuing to support Yoon while others have turned against him.
The opposition party has also removed the acting prime minister, Han Dong-hoon, who was accused of being a puppet of Yoon. The current acting leader, Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, is also facing calls for his removal.
As protests continue across the country, both for and against Yoon, the future of South Korea’s politics remains uncertain.
Source: BBC