South Korea has plunged into political turmoil over the past month as President Yoon Suk-yeol faces impeachment and legal challenges. The crisis began on December 3, 2024, when President Yoon declared an emergency martial law order, only to lift it hours later amid public outcry and political pressure.
On December 14, the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon, citing abuse of power and constitutional violations related to the abrupt martial law declaration. The Constitutional Court promptly initiated the impeachment trial process, and Yoon was suspended from his presidential duties. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped in as acting president during this period.
Despite multiple summons from prosecutors investigating the circumstances surrounding the martial law order, President Yoon repeatedly refused to cooperate. He ignored the first summons on December 15 and subsequent ones on December 23 and December 29. Meanwhile, police questioned Acting President Han Duck-soo on December 20 as part of the ongoing probe.
Tensions escalated when police raided the presidential safe house on December 27 in search of evidence. The situation reached a critical point on December 31 when a detention warrant was issued for President Yoon, marking an unprecedented move against a sitting South Korean president.
On January 3, 2025, investigators attempted to execute the warrant at the presidential residence but faced a standoff with Yoon’s security team. The investigators ultimately halted their efforts, and the security team warned of legal action for what they termed “trespassing” on presidential grounds.
The nation watches anxiously as this political drama unfolds, with concerns about stability and the rule of law. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining South Korea’s political future and the fate of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
