United News of Bangladesh

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s legacy may now hinge on his controversial decision to impose martial law, citing vague claims of “anti-state forces” influenced by North Korea. The move has sparked political outrage and raised questions about the motivations behind his decision, as he faces impeachment proceedings and mounting criticism. A Career Rooted in LawYoon, a conservative leader and former prosecutor, ascended to the presidency in 2022 after a meteoric rise in politics. Despite his legal expertise and reputation for being tough and uncompromising, critics argue that his temperament and reliance on a close-knit group of loyalists make him ill-suited for high-level leadership. Born to academics, Yoon studied law at Seoul National University. In 1980, as a student, he participated in a mock trial condemning dictator Chun Doo-hwan, only to flee to the countryside when martial law was extended. This early brush with military rule contrasts sharply with his current actions. Impulsive Leadership StyleObservers describe Yoon as impulsive and emotionally driven. His presidency has been marked by friction with an opposition-controlled parliament, scandals involving him and his wife, and escalating tensions with North Korea. Choi Jin, director of the Institute of Presidential Leadership in Seoul, noted, “President Yoon tends to handle issues with a small group of loyalists and expresses emotions too directly.” A Presidency Defined by TensionYoon’s declaration of martial law is seen as a response to prolonged gridlock with the liberal opposition. He accused his political rivals of undermining his administration by attempting to impeach officials and blocking next year’s budget. He also labeled them “North Korea followers” plotting rebellion. Read: Who is South Korean leader Yoon who sought martial law? The opposition-controlled parliament has been a significant obstacle for Yoon, who narrowly won the presidency in 2022 in one of South Korea’s closest elections. His tenure has been fraught with domestic political strife and bitter rhetoric on both sides. Scandals and CriticismYoon’s administration has faced multiple scandals, including allegations of influence-peddling involving him and his wife. Critics argue that his martial law declaration was an attempt to distract from these controversies. “Whether Yoon will survive politically or not, his declaration of martial law was a desperate move to shift focus,” Choi added. North Korea and the Return to Hardline PoliticsYoon’s presidency has also been defined by a hardline stance against North Korea. Early efforts to offer economic incentives in exchange for denuclearization were met with hostility. Pyongyang ramped up weapons tests and personal insults, calling Yoon a “diplomatic idiot.” North Korea’s perceived role in domestic destabilization echoes South Korea’s past, when authoritarian leaders used the threat from the North to suppress dissent. Yoon’s martial law declaration has revived fears of a return to those times. Read more: Key facts about martial law and the push to impeach South Korea’s president A Troubled LegacyYoon’s decision to invoke martial law has raised alarms in South Korea’s vibrant democracy, with many questioning the legitimacy of his claims. Whether this move will define his presidency or mark its end remains uncertain, as public and political opposition mounts. Source: With inputs from agencies

South Korea’s political landscape was shaken on Wednesday as the main opposition Democratic Party called for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s immediate resignation or impeachment. The demand came hours after Yoon rescinded a controversial martial law declaration, which had briefly brought military troops to parliament. Yoon’s abrupt announcement of martial law on Tuesday evening aimed to combat what he termed “anti-state” forces but was overturned by a unanimous parliamentary vote. This marked South Korea’s first use of martial law in over 40 years, harking back to its pre-democracy era. Opposition Outrage and Impeachment Threat The Democratic Party, holding a parliamentary majority, condemned Yoon’s actions as unconstitutional and accused him of rebellion. “President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution... a grave act of rebellion,” the party said in a statement, promising impeachment proceedings if Yoon refused to step down. An impeachment would require a two-thirds parliamentary vote, needing support from at least 200 lawmakers. The Democratic Party and smaller opposition factions collectively control 192 seats. Notably, 18 members of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) joined the 190-0 vote to annul the martial law. If impeached, Yoon would be stripped of presidential powers pending a Constitutional Court ruling, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming interim responsibilities. Yoon’s Declaration and Military Deployment Yoon’s martial law authorized troop deployments to restrict parliamentary activities, sparking comparisons to South Korea’s military-backed governments of the past. Protesters outside the National Assembly faced soldiers armed with assault rifles and military helicopters. While lawmakers were initially blocked from entering the National Assembly, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung livestreamed himself scaling a wall to access the chamber. Despite the heavy military presence, no major violence was reported, and troops withdrew after the vote to lift the martial law. Read: South Korean Parliament overturns President’s Martial Law declaration Critics, including legal experts and opposition leaders, argued Yoon’s actions violated constitutional provisions that limit martial law to wartime or comparable national emergencies. The constitution explicitly prohibits restrictions on parliamentary functions, which Yoon’s declaration attempted to enforce. International and Domestic Responses In Washington, the White House expressed “serious concern” over the events, noting that the Biden administration was not informed in advance of Yoon’s martial law declaration. Pentagon officials confirmed no impact on the 27,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Domestically, the People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun criticized Yoon’s actions as unconstitutional, urging him to dismiss Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly recommended the declaration. Public reaction remained relatively muted, with life in Seoul appearing normal on Wednesday. Tourists and residents went about their routines, though increased police presence and lingering tension hinted at the political turmoil. Echoes of South Korea’s Democratic Struggles President Yoon’s martial law declaration and its swift reversal highlighted South Korea’s turbulent political history, including its transition to democracy in the late 1980s. Observers compared the current crisis to the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office and later imprisoned for corruption. Read: Emergency martial law declared in South Korea Natalia Slavney, an analyst with the Stimson Center’s 38 North program, described the martial law as a “serious backslide of democracy” in South Korea, noting an “alarming trend of abuse” during Yoon’s presidency. As calls for Yoon’s resignation grow louder, South Korea faces an uncertain political future. The crisis underscores the fragility of democratic norms in the face of escalating political conflicts. Source: With inputs from agencies