Yoon’s presidency is facing a second impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, following the collapse of his initial martial law order on December 3, which sparked accusations of insurrection and led to a criminal investigation into the embattled president.
According to Reuters, Yoon accused the opposition Democratic Party of engaging in a “sword dance of madness” to unseat him and reiterated his commitment to democracy. However, his fiery rhetoric appeared to alienate key allies within his ruling People Power Party (PPP), further jeopardizing his position.
If the impeachment vote passes, the case will be referred to South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which will decide on the legitimacy of Yoon’s presidency. This process could leave the nation in political limbo for up to six months.
Protesters rally towards the Presidential Office calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon publicly called for the party to back impeachment, describing Yoon’s address as “a confession of insurrection.” Seven PPP lawmakers have reportedly declared their support for impeachment, with one more needed to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority required to oust the president.
Despite this, divisions persist within the PPP. The party recently elected Kweon Seong-dong, a Yoon ally, as its leader in the National Assembly, signaling resistance to impeachment efforts.
In his address, Yoon also doubled down on claims that North Korea hacked South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC), undermining the integrity of the April 2024 parliamentary elections. The opposition Democratic Party won the election in a landslide, gaining overwhelming control of the assembly.
Protesters attend a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Yoon alleged that the hack justified his martial law declaration as a symbolic measure to expose what he described as an opposition plot to destabilize the country. However, he offered no concrete evidence to support these claims.
The NEC acknowledged prior consultations with the National Intelligence Service to address vulnerabilities but denied that election manipulation was possible. Troops reportedly entered the NEC’s server room following Yoon’s martial law order, raising questions about government overreach.
The opposition Democratic Party has condemned Yoon’s actions as undemocratic and delusional. Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok called on PPP lawmakers to join the impeachment effort, arguing that Yoon’s presidency represents a threat to democratic norms.
