South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol Abandons Martial Law Amid Widespread Protests and Impeachment Calls

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has reversed his controversial attempt to impose martial law, following intense opposition from lawmakers, security forces, and massive protests across the country. The decision to backtrack comes after thousands of protesters filled the streets of Seoul, and opposition lawmakers engaged in dramatic confrontations with security forces to overturn Yoon’s declaration.
Opposition parties, united in their condemnation of Yoon’s move, swiftly submitted an impeachment motion accusing him of attempting to orchestrate an insurrection. Representatives from six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, announced their intention to seek an urgent vote on the motion, with the possibility of a vote as soon as Friday. To successfully impeach the president, the motion would require a two-thirds majority in parliament, followed by approval from at least six Constitutional Court justices.
The announcement of martial law earlier in the week had shocked both the South Korean public and the international community, with many describing it as an unprecedented move that plunged the nation into political crisis. Thousands of South Koreans marched in the capital demanding Yoon’s resignation, while the country’s largest labor union called for an indefinite general strike until the president steps down.
Yoon’s own political party also expressed disappointment in the martial law attempt, with the Defence Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, resigning in the aftermath, citing deep regret for the confusion caused.
This crisis has escalated to an unprecedented level in South Korea’s modern democratic history, with international allies, including the United States, expressing concern over the situation. The U.S. — which maintains a military presence in South Korea — initially voiced alarm at the prospect of martial law before expressing relief at its swift reversal.
The unfolding political turmoil places President Yoon’s leadership under intense scrutiny, with his political future now hanging in the balance.