SEOUL — South Korea witnessed widespread protests as President Yoon Suk Yeol faced impeachment over a failed attempt to declare martial law.
Yoon’s presidency, plagued by personal scandals, party discord, and rising opposition, has led to increasing political isolation in recent years. Parliament voted to impeach him following the controversial martial law bid, with support from some members of his own People Power Party. The motion secured the required two-thirds majority with 204 votes in favor.
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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of acting president as the Constitutional Court reviews Yoon’s potential removal, a process that could take up to six months. The failed December attempt to impose martial law marked a turning point in his troubled presidency, which has been overshadowed by scandals and controversial decisions.
Yoon defended his actions as patriotic but failed to gain public trust, raising doubts about his leadership. His tenure has also been criticized for decisions like relocating the presidential office based on feng shui and the poorly handled response to the 2022 Halloween disaster.
Initially celebrated for his corruption investigations, including a high-profile case against President Park Geun-hye, Yoon’s political career has seen a dramatic fall from grace, leaving the nation in political turmoil.
