South Korea’s Leadership Crisis Deepens as President Yoon Suk Yeol Becomes Subject of Criminal Investigation
A growing political crisis in South Korea deepened on Sunday as prosecutors named President Yoon Suk Yeol as a subject of a criminal investigation over his failed attempt to impose martial law last week. The development came as his former Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, was arrested and a series of protests and strikes continued to take place across the country.
Yoon, who survived an impeachment vote in the opposition-led parliament on Saturday, is expected to be effectively excluded from his duties by his own party, which has proposed a plan to delegate authority to the Prime Minister. The move has been met with criticism from opposition lawmakers, who claimed it was unconstitutional and another attempt by Yoon to grab power.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the parliament in Seoul on Sunday, calling for Yoon’s impeachment and arrest, as well as the disbandment of his ruling party. The protests and strikes are part of a broader movement against Yoon’s government, which has been accused of ruling through emergency powers and suppressing dissent.
The crisis has raised concerns about the stability of South Korea, a key US ally and major economy in Asia. The leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, said that the President would not be involved in foreign and state affairs before his early resignation. However, the National Assembly Speaker, Woo Won-shik, has proposed a meeting of rival parties to discuss ways to suspend Yoon’s presidential power immediately.
The ruling party has offered few details on their plan to prevent Yoon’s impeachment and subsequent resignation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the crisis. Military leaders, including the acting Defense Minister, have reportedly refused to consider imposing another round of martial law, further complicating the situation.
The crisis has also raised concerns about the military’s loyalty and the country’s ability to deter threats from North Korea, a nuclear-armed state that has long been a source of tension in the region. Experts warn that North Korea may attempt to exploit the divisions in Seoul to advance its own interests.
