Increased Pressure for South Korean President's Resignation Despite Martial Law Cancellation

South Korean parliament representatives have called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in response to his declaration of martial law, which lasted only a few hours. Reports indicate that the impeachment process has begun amidst rising opposition and mass protests demanding his resignation. The largest labor union in the country, with about one million members, has gone on strike, and senior staff members of the president, including all senior secretaries, the chief of staff, the national security advisor, and the national policy director, have collectively resigned. The surprising decision by Yoon Suk-yeol to declare martial law has led to the biggest political crisis in decades in this country, which is the fourth-largest economy in Asia. An alliance of six opposition representatives in the South Korean parliament announced on Wednesday, December 5, that they intend to prepare a bill for the president's impeachment that must be voted on within 72 hours. According to Yonhap, the official news agency of the country, the impeachment bill was submitted to the parliament on Wednesday afternoon and is likely to be voted on Thursday or Friday. The impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol will require the support of two-thirds of the 300-member parliament, meaning at least 200 votes. The Democratic Party and other smaller opposition parties hold a total of 192 parliamentary seats. However, when the parliament rejected the president's martial law declaration with 190 votes in favor and no opposing votes, 18 members of the ruling People Power Party also voted against Yoon's order. Following an emergency meeting, the People Power Party dismissed the defense minister and agreed to the resignation of the entire cabinet. However, reports indicate that there has not yet been a decision regarding Yoon's expulsion from the party. Yoon Suk-yeol, who issued the 'emergency martial law' order on Tuesday evening, announced the cancellation of the martial law order early Wednesday morning following opposition from parliament and his own party, as well as citizen protests. He also ordered the military forces to be released and stated that he would convene a cabinet meeting. In his speech on Tuesday evening, he accused his opponents in the National Assembly of supporting North Korea and declared martial law. Shortly after, representatives in the assembly declared the martial law order null and void. According to South Korean law, if the majority of the parliament opposes a martial law order, the president must revoke it. The People Power Party, to which the president belongs, had called for the cancellation of the martial law order following developments after this action. Media reports, including Reuters, indicated that South Korean military forces intended to enter the parliament building but faced resistance from staff. Shortly after, images of military forces leaving the parliament were published. Following the declaration of martial law, Park Ang-soo, the commander of the South Korean martial law, announced that all political activities in the country were banned and that all media would be under government supervision. He further stated that all political activities, including the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and associations, as well as gatherings and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited. However, images released by media from Seoul show a gathering of some South Korean citizens in front of the parliament building. AFP reported that hundreds of protesters gathered in the early hours in front of the parliament, demanding the cancellation of martial law and the president's resignation. In his Tuesday evening speech, the South Korean president stated that he had no choice but to resort to martial law to 'maintain free order and the constitution' because opposition parties had 'taken the parliamentary process hostage' to plunge the country into 'crisis.' He said, 'I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of communist forces in North Korea, to eradicate the infamous anti-government forces supporting Pyongyang that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitution.' He did not specify what specific actions would be taken but referred to the opposition-majority parliament's plan to impeach some senior prosecutors and reject the government's budget bill. The Democratic Party, the main opposition party in the parliament, called the declaration of martial law a 'coup' and demanded its immediate cancellation. This party stated in a statement that the emergency martial law is 'illegal and invalid' and that the president must be held accountable in this regard. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has been trying to advance his agenda despite a parliament controlled by the opposition. The ruling conservative People Power Party has been embroiled in a fierce dispute with the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in parliament, over the approval of next year's budget. Yoon has also rejected calls for independent investigations into allegations against his wife and senior officials in recent weeks, openly blaming political rivals. On Tuesday, he stated that the parliament had reduced key budgets such as suppressing drug crimes and maintaining public security, which are the government's primary responsibilities, to weaken the government's function and leave the people in the quagmire of drugs and public security terror. In response to these developments, the White House announced that it was unaware of the president's decision to declare martial law before it was announced. A spokesperson for the National Security Council stated that Washington is following the developments in South Korea with 'serious concern.' Since the declaration of martial law, the value of the South Korean currency has dropped by 1.6% within just one hour. Last month, the South Korean president announced that the dispatch of 10,000 North Korean troops to assist Russia in the Ukraine war could lead to a change in the country's policy and the direct shipment of weapons to Ukraine. South Korea, one of the world's top 10 arms exporters, has so far only sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and supported U.S. and Western sanctions against Russia, adhering to its longstanding policy of refraining from sending and selling weapons to countries at war. However, according to a previous statement by the South Korean national security advisor, the country will consider sending weapons to Ukraine to assist it against Russia's military aggression. This policy change was announced on Thursday, June 31, just hours after the text of the strategic agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang was released by North Korean state media. According to the text of this agreement, in the event of occupation or if either country goes to war, the other party is obliged to 'quickly mobilize all its resources to provide military assistance and aid.' In response to the rapid developments in South Korea, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson canceled his planned trip to Seoul. According to a spokesperson for the Swedish Prime Minister's office, the visit, which was scheduled for this week, has been 'postponed in light of recent developments.' The failed declaration of martial law by the South Korean president has also cast doubts on U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's upcoming trip to the region. According to Japanese media, Austin was supposed to meet with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts as part of a trilateral plan initiated by Yoon Suk-yeol. Meanwhile, a Japanese parliamentary delegation led by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, which was supposed to visit Seoul in the coming days, has also postponed its plans. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was also expected to visit Seoul alongside this delegation. Mr. Ishiba emphasized that Tokyo is closely monitoring developments in Seoul. Some U.S. officials, without naming names, have stated that meetings of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and related military exercises have been indefinitely suspended. The NCG was an initiative by Yoon aimed at enhancing Seoul's role in joint planning for potential nuclear war scenarios on the Korean Peninsula. Approximately 28,500 U.S. military personnel are stationed in South Korea, and it remains unclear how recent developments will affect joint military exercises between the two countries. A White House spokesperson also emphasized that Yoon did not inform Washington of his decision to declare martial law and expressed 'deep concern from the White House regarding developments in Seoul.'