South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to declare martial law and order the arrest of Han Dong-hoon, the leader of his own ruling People Power Party (PPP), has sent shockwaves across the nation. Yoon’s action further focused on the opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, and three other MPs, which escalated the political crisis in the nation.
Yoon ordered the arrest of Han Dong and other political figures on alleged “anti-state charges” on Tuesday, according to National Intelligence Service deputy director Hong Jang-won. The president reportedly planned to detain them in a facility in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul. Opposition leaders opposed the change, denouncing it as an assault on democracy.
The context has resulted in large-scale demonstrations and calls for Yoon’s removal (impeachment). Han Dong, at first someone against impeachment, changed position on Friday. He cited “credible evidence” of the president’s actions and warned that Yoon’s leadership posed a “grave danger” to the nation. His recantation may open the way for the opposition to win enough votes to pursue the impeachment of the president.
Yoon issues order to arrest Han Dong-hoon after attempting martial law
With the situation escalating, Yoon ordered the detention of Han Dong and attempted to use martial law to quell dissent. But, this was cut short when 190 legislators, some scaling fences to get to the house, voted down the martial order. The abrupt reversal exposed Yoon’s domestic political struggles rather than any external threats he had cited to justify his actions.
Opposition MPs continue to be on the lookout for a second attempt at martial law. Special forces commander Kwak Jong-kuen, who refused to follow Yoon’s orders during Tuesday’s crisis, assured parliament that soldiers would not act against civilians again.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Seoul, calling for Yoon’s resignation. According to a Realmeter poll conducted last Thursday, more than 70% of Koreans support impeachment. Yoon’s approval ratings have sunk to a record low of 13% and his silence after the lifting of martial law has only heightened the public’s resentment.
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