Bruce Klingner
On April 4th, South Korea’s Constitutional Court affirmed the National Assembly’s impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, removing him from office for his declaration of martial law last December. The unanimous 8-0 ruling on each of five charges was an overwhelming rebuke of Yoon’s justification for martial law as well as numerous conspiracy theories espoused by his supporters. The court’s ruling triggers a special presidential election in early June which is likely to be won by the progressive opposition party.
On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, blaming “anti-state forces” planning to overthrow the government. He declared that all political activities, including meetings of the National Assembly and public demonstrations, were prohibited and all media would be under government control. He deployed the military and police to prevent the National Assembly from voting on the martial law declaration, which is a protected right in the South Korean constitution.
Yoon claimed he imposed martial law to “protect liberal democracy and ensure the safety of the people” against unidentified forces operating covertly within South Korea. But he provided no evidence for his claims. Instead, it became apparent he was reacting to the opposition party’s obstruction of his legislative agenda and repeated impeachments of Yoon and government officials, which he characterized as a “legislative dictatorship” and “anti-state activities plotting rebellion.”
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During the short six-hour time frame of martial law, the National Assembly scaled walls and evaded troops to vote to overrule Yoon’s martial law declaration, leading him to rescind his declaration. The National Assembly voted on December 14 to impeach Yoon.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Yoon’s declaration of martial law and attempt to seize control of the legislature were “grave violations” of the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law as well as an infringement on the fundamental human rights of the country’s citizens. » Read More
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/south-korea-court-upholds-presidential-impeachment