South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defends declaration of martial law as he faces growing political pressure

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stated This Thursday in a televised speech that the brief declaration of martial law made on December 3 was necessary to “defend the constitutional order” in the face of what he described as a state paralysis caused by the main opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP). ). Yoon categorically denied accusations of inciting an insurrection and said he was willing to face impeachment or investigation fairly.

Hours after his statement, the DP and five other opposition parties presented a new impeachment motion against the president, which will be put to a vote this Saturday in the National Assembly. The first motion, presented last week, did not prosper due to a lack of sufficient votes, after the majority of legislators from the ruling party, People’s Power (PPP), boycotted the session.

However, the political landscape has changed significantly. Han Dong Hoon, leader of the PPP, expressed his support for the removal of the president, joining at least seven legislators from his party who have expressed similar positions, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency. For the motion to be successful, the support of two-thirds of the 300-member Assembly is required, meaning that at least eight PPP votes will be necessary.

Investigations and growing tensions

As the investigation into the declaration of martial law continues, the Ministry of Justice imposed a travel ban on Yoon. In addition, Oh Dong Woon, head of the Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials, indicated that his team will seek to detain or arrest the president if the evidence gathered warrants it. This announcement coincides with police attempts to raid the presidential office, which were rejected under allegations of “official and military secrecy.”

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, considered a key figure in the declaration of martial law, was arrested Tuesday on charges of rebellion and abuse of power. According to prosecutors, Kim ordered the deployment of military personnel to the parliament building and the National Election Commission during the hours when martial law was in effect. Additionally, Kim reportedly attempted suicide at his place of detention, but is currently in stable condition under protective measures.

The declaration of martial law, the first since the country’s democratization in 1987, sparked mass protests across South Korea, with demonstrators demanding Yoon’s immediate resignation. The measure was revoked by the National Assembly just six hours after its implementation, but the political and legal consequences have continued to escalate.

The new impeachment motion, which will be voted on Saturday, represents a critical moment for Yoon’s presidency. If approved, the case will be sent to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to confirm or reject the dismissal, a process that could last for months. Meanwhile, the government faces a growing legitimacy crisis in a country marked by deep public discontent and political divisions.

The outcome of this crisis will not only define Yoon’s future as president, but also the political balance of South Korea in the coming years, in a context of internal challenges and increasingly complex regional tensions.