South Korea is reeling from a political crisis that has thrown its government into disarray and placed President Yoon Suk Yeol at the center of an impeachment storm.
On Tuesday night, in an unprecedented move, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from North Korea. However, the announcement, which sent shockwaves through the country, was withdrawn just hours later, leaving citizens and politicians baffled.
The president’s abrupt decision has only deepened the mistrust of his administration, already burdened by scandals, plummeting approval ratings, and a humiliating parliamentary defeat earlier this year. Now, calls for his resignation are growing louder, and the opposition-controlled National Assembly has begun moving forward with impeachment proceedings.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s political career has been fraught with challenges since he was narrowly elected in 2022, winning by less than 1% of the vote—the closest margin since direct elections began in 1987.
Yoon, a former prosecutor with no prior political experience, rose to prominence by prosecuting former President Park Geun-hye for corruption in 2016.
Initially, many South Koreans hoped Yoon would bring transparency and efficiency to the government. His promises of reform and his hawkish stance on North Korea resonated with conservative voters, particularly young men drawn to his anti-feminist rhetoric. However, his presidency has been marred by controversies, particularly those surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee. Allegations of corruption, including accepting luxury gifts and engaging in stock manipulation, have dogged the first lady. Yoon’s repeated apologies for her actions have done little to quell public anger.
In November, Yoon’s approval ratings hit a historic low of 17%, the worst since he took office. His People Power Party’s devastating loss in the April parliamentary elections further cemented his status as a lame-duck president, forced to rely on vetoes to block bills from the opposition-dominated legislature.
Justifying the decision, Yoon cited the need to “eliminate anti-state elements” and protect against threats from North Korea.
However, critics quickly dismissed this as a pretext, pointing instead to Yoon’s domestic struggles and his inability to navigate South Korea’s polarized political landscape.
The move sparked disorder across the country. Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Seoul, and lawmakers scrambled to the National Assembly to block the decree. Even members of Yoon’s party expressed disapproval, with some joining the opposition in voting against the martial law order.
By midnight, the streets outside the National Assembly were filled with chants calling for Yoon’s resignation. Police presence escalated as tensions rose, but just as quickly as the crisis began, it ended. Within hours, Yoon withdrew the martial law declaration, leaving South Koreans stunned.
“His declaration and sudden reversal were reckless and deeply irresponsible,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. “This was a legal overreach and a political miscalculation.”
Yoon’s decision has triggered a wave of condemnation from all sides. The opposition Democratic Party wasted no time in initiating impeachment proceedings, labeling the martial law declaration an “illegal power grab.” Even Yoon’s allies within the People Power Party are distancing themselves, with some party leaders calling for him to step down.
The fallout extends beyond the political realm. South Korea’s largest labour union, representing over a million workers, has announced plans for a nationwide strike until Yoon resigns.
On Wednesday, protesters returned to the streets, vowing to keep up the pressure.
The crisis has also rattled South Korea’s allies. The United States, a key partner in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula, expressed concern over Yoon’s actions. “We urge South Korea to resolve this situation in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” said a U.S. State Department spokesperson.
Japan, another crucial ally, issued a statement saying it was monitoring the situation “with exceptional and serious concerns.” Meanwhile, North Korea, which has ramped up provocations in recent months, is expected to exploit the political turmoil to its advantage.
This week’s events have further eroded Yoon’s already fragile presidency. His popularity has been steadily declining, with many South Koreans disillusioned by his leadership style and inability to deliver on campaign promises. His penchant for gaffes has only fueled public frustration.
During his 2022 campaign, Yoon faced backlash for praising authoritarian former President Chun Doo-hwan, infamous for declaring martial law and ordering the 1980 Gwangju massacre. More recently, he was caught on a hot mic seemingly insulting the U.S. Congress, a moment that went viral and embarrassed his administration.
Domestically, Yoon has struggled to address pressing issues such as economic inequality and gender tensions. His anti-feminist rhetoric, which helped him secure votes from young men, has alienated female voters and sparked broader societal divisions.
Foreign policy has been one of the few areas where Yoon has achieved some success, notably improving ties with Japan. However, Tuesday’s martial law debacle risks undermining these gains, as allies question his judgment and stability.
As Yoon faces the possibility of impeachment, South Korea is bracing for more political turbulence. The Democratic Party, emboldened by its recent electoral victories, is pushing hard to remove him from office. Even if Yoon manages to survive impeachment, his ability to govern effectively has been severely compromised.
“President Yoon is in a corner of his own making,” said Kang Kyung-wha, a former South Korean foreign minister. “The ball is in his court to find a way out, but the options are limited.”
Yoon’s senior aides have reportedly offered to resign en masse, signaling the depth of the crisis within his administration. Meanwhile, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022, has called the martial law episode a “decisive opportunity to break the vicious cycle and return to normal society.”
The repercussions of Tuesday night’s events will likely extend beyond South Korea’s borders. Observers warn that North Korea could seize the moment to escalate tensions, while the U.S. and Japan watch anxiously for signs of stability.
Yoon’s presidency has been defined by controversy and missed opportunities. His declaration of martial law, widely seen as an act of desperation, may go down in history as the final blow to his credibility.
