South Korea’s six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, filed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol following his surprise martial law declaration and subsequent reversal on Dec. 4. The impeachment motion was reported to the National Assembly’s plenary session at midnight on Dec. 5, with plans to put the motion into a vote on Dec. 6 or 7. The Democratic party also intends to file criminal charges against the president and other ministers for rebellion.
The ruling People Power Party demanded Yoon’s withdrawal from the party, the entire cabinet’s resignation, and the defense minister’s dismissal in response to the martial law crisis.
The impeachment motion, backed by 191 lawmakers, accuses President Yoon of “violating the Constitution by issuing an emergency martial law order that failed to meet legal requirements” and “infringing on national sovereignty, violating the principle of separation of powers, undermining political neutrality of public officials, restricting freedom of political party activities and expression, and failing to uphold constitutional duties.”
“President Yoon’s emergency martial law declaration is a clear violation of the Constitution and a grave act of insurrection and a definitive reason for impeachment,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. The party warned that it would proceed with the impeachment if President Yoon did not voluntarily step down, they will proceed with impeachment. Under South Korean law, the impeachment motion must be reported to the National Assembly’s plenary session 24 hours after its introduction and voted on within 72 hours.
The opposition parties also seek to impeach Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min for their involvement in the martial law declaration. They also plan to file insurrection charges against President Yoon, the two ministers, and Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, who served as martial law commander.
The charges of insurrection and treason are exempt from the presidential immunity clause, making it possible to investigate and prosecute the president even while Yoon remains in office. For the first time in South Korea’s history, a sitting president will become the subject of a criminal investigation.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, convened a series of emergency meetings with senior party officials, during which he proposed that President Yoon resign from the party, the cabinet step down, and Defense Minister Kim be dismissed. “Yesterday’s declaration of emergency martial law is a stark departure from the PPP’s commitment to constitutional values,” Han reportedly said during a closed-door meeting.
At 2 p.m., Han met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and senior officials at the Prime Minister’s residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss measures for stabilizing the political turmoil. Later that evening, President Yoon met with Han and the Prime Minister at the presidential office in Yongsan to discuss further strategies for managing the crisis.
