South Korea: the presidential party wants the departure of Yoon, a “danger” for the country

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party called for departure on Friday ” fast “ of the South Korean leader, believing that his retention in power represents a « grand danger » for the country after its failed coup at the start of the week.

Mr. Yoon unexpectedly proclaimed martial law late Tuesday and deployed the army to Seoul, targeting the opposition, before being forced to backpedal six hours later under pressure from Parliament and the streets.

“In view of new elements, I believe that a rapid suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol is necessary in order to safeguard the Republic of Korea (official name of South Korea, editor’s note) and its people”People’s Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said on Friday.

These statements come as Parliament must vote on Saturday on an impeachment motion tabled by the opposition. They now make its adoption appear inevitable if Mr. Yoon does not resign by then.

The vote is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time on Saturday (10:00 a.m. GMT), according to the national agency Yonhap.

In his indictment speech on Friday, Mr. Han spoke of “credible evidence” that the president had ordered the arrest of prominent political leaders on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.

Mr. Yoon has also done nothing against military officials who are “intervened illegally” in this context and “does not recognize that this illegal martial law is a mistake”.

South Korea could therefore run a « grand danger » if he remained in power, Mr. Han ruled.

On Thursday, Han Dong-hoon said the presidential party would stand against the motion. This change of discourse ultimately seems to guarantee its success, so the opposition, the majority in Parliament, only needs to rally eight elected officials from the PPP.

If Parliament approves, by two-thirds, the dismissal of Mr. Yoon, the latter will be suspended, pending the Constitutional Court validating his dismissal. A new presidential election must then be organized within 60 days.

Yoon Suk Yeol’s approval rating has reached a low of 13 percent, according to a Gallup poll released Friday.

Investigation for “rebellion”

To everyone’s surprise, the president declared martial law on Tuesday evening and tried to muzzle Parliament where his camp is in the minority by sending the army, which had sealed the building.

Demonstrators immediately gathered in front of the institution to demand the arrest of Mr. Yoon, who was also the subject of an investigation for “rebellion”police said Thursday.

This crime is theoretically punishable by death, although this has not been applied in South Korea since 1997.

The president has not been seen in public since announcing the lifting of martial law in the early hours of Wednesday.

On Thursday, his cabinet announced the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. But other key officials in his government are hanging on, including Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.

The opposition is also targeting other key allies of Mr. Yoon, including short-lived martial law commander Park An-su, the army’s chief of staff.

Yoon Suk Yeol explained that he had declared this state of exception to protect “liberalize South Korea from threats from North Korean communist forces and to eliminate elements hostile to the state”in a context of standoff over the adoption of the 2025 budget.

Democracy “trampled”

Demonstrations by thousands of South Koreans in front of places of power have increased since then.

“Our democracy will be trampled if we leave Mr. Yoon in power for another moment”assured Thursday a demonstrator, Park Su-hyung, 39 years old.

Mr. Yoon, narrowly elected in 2022 and who has never had a majority in Parliament, had accused opposition elected officials of blocking “all budgets essential to the primary functions of the nation”.

Despite the closure of the National Assembly, 190 deputies managed to sneak inside during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, sometimes by climbing the fences, and hold an extraordinary session.

They unanimously voted for a motion calling for the lifting of martial law, while their aides prevented soldiers from entering the chamber by barricading the doors with furniture.

The president finally gave in six hours after his initial announcement and recalled the army.

“It is an unforgivable crime, which cannot, must not and will not be forgiven”thundered Kim Seung-won, deputy of the Democratic Party, the main component of the opposition.