South Korea's parliament voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing allegations of rebellion related to his controversial martial law order on December 3. The decree, which lasted only six hours, has ignited a political crisis in the country.  The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion with a vote of 204-85. Yoon's presidential duties will be suspended once the impeachment notice is delivered to him and the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to decide whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If dismissed, a national election must take place within 60 days.  This marks the second attempt to impeach Yoon after a failed vote last week, where most ruling party lawmakers abstained. Growing public outcry and plummeting approval ratings have since led some members of Yoon's People Power Party to support the impeachment.  South Korean lawmakers to vote on Impeachment of President Yoon over martial law decree For two weeks, tens of thousands of protesters in Seoul have called for Yoon’s removal, while smaller groups of his supporters held counter-rallies. Both sides have demonstrated peacefully.  Yoon’s martial law order, the first in over 40 years, was declared in response to tensions with the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority. Yoon deployed troops and police to block a parliamentary vote on his decree, but they withdrew after lawmakers unanimously overturned the martial law.  Opposition leaders and legal experts accuse Yoon of rebellion, arguing his decree violated constitutional provisions allowing martial law only during wartime or emergencies. They claim his actions disrupted the National Assembly and undermined democratic governance.  The impeachment motion alleges Yoon staged a “rebellion” by using military and police forces to intimidate parliament and the public. In a defiant speech Thursday, Yoon denied the charges, claiming his actions were intended to counter the Democratic Party, which he called “anti-state forces.”  Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung condemned Yoon’s remarks, describing them as a “declaration of war” against the people.  Yoon is banned from leaving the country as authorities investigate whether he and others involved in the martial law order committed crimes such as rebellion or abuse of power. While Yoon enjoys immunity from most criminal charges, rebellion and treason are exceptions.  Several top officials, including the defense minister and police chiefs, have been arrested in connection with the martial law case. Investigations into other senior figures are ongoing. 

South Korea's former defense minister attempted suicide while in detention after being arrested for his involvement in a controversial martial law decree. Officials confirmed that detention center staff prevented the attempt, and the ex-minister, now in stable condition, remains under investigation. Kim Yong Hyun, arrested earlier on charges of rebellion and abuse of power, is the first person formally detained in connection with the martial law order issued on December 3. The decree, which temporarily paralyzed South Korea's government and economy, has triggered nationwide political unrest and investigations into the roles of top officials, including President Yoon Suk Yeol. South Korea’s ex-defense minister finally arrested over martial law Authorities are intensifying their probe, with police raiding Yoon’s office on Wednesday. Opposition lawmakers plan to resubmit a motion to impeach the president following a failed attempt last Saturday. The Democratic Party alleges Yoon's martial law order was unconstitutional, accusing him and several officials of rebellion. Military commanders have testified that Yoon directly ordered troops to obstruct lawmakers from overturning the decree, while counterintelligence officials claim plans were discussed to detain political opponents. The decree, ultimately annulled by parliament on December 4, faced widespread condemnation for bypassing constitutional provisions and violating democratic norms. Japan’s atomic bomb victim recalls its horrors in Nobel Peace Prize event If impeachment proceedings succeed, Yoon’s powers would be suspended pending a Constitutional Court ruling. A dismissal from office would necessitate a new presidential election. The turmoil has drawn attention internationally, with North Korea’s state media reporting on the unrest, a rare move seen as an attempt to frame the protests as a reflection of instability in South Korea. Meanwhile, critics argue that Yoon's declaration of martial law amid ongoing political disputes was an overreach, further deepening divisions in one of Asia's leading democracies.

South Korea’s former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was formally arrested Wednesday on charges of rebellion and abuse of power over his role in the brief imposition of martial law last week. The unprecedented move, lasting just six hours, has triggered widespread protests, criminal investigations, and impeachment efforts targeting President Yoon Suk Yeol and key officials. The Seoul Central District Court approved Kim’s arrest, citing the seriousness of his alleged crimes and the potential for evidence tampering. Accused of orchestrating the martial law decree, Kim allegedly ordered troops to block lawmakers from overturning the decree in parliament. Despite his efforts, the National Assembly convened and unanimously rejected the order, forcing the government to rescind martial law by early December 4. Kim, who resigned last Thursday and has been detained since Sunday, issued an apology, accepting sole responsibility and pleading for leniency for the troops involved. Prosecutors have 20 days to decide whether to indict him, with rebellion charges carrying a maximum penalty of death. Parliament, controlled by the opposition Democratic Party, has passed a bill to appoint an independent special counsel to investigate Yoon and top military officials, citing mistrust in public prosecutors. During a parliamentary hearing, Army Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun testified that Kim directly ordered troops to block lawmakers and claimed Yoon instructed him to forcibly remove them if necessary. Read: South Korea weighs travel ban on President Yoon Additional testimony revealed plans to detain political opponents, with senior military and intelligence officials implicating Yoon and his associates. These revelations have intensified calls for accountability, as opposition leaders argue the martial law decree violated constitutional limits, which only allow such measures during war or comparable emergencies. Critics contend the decree sought to suppress liberal opposition forces, which Yoon labeled as “anti-state.” The Democratic Party has pushed for Yoon’s impeachment, along with motions targeting other senior officials. Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday but faces renewed efforts from opposition lawmakers, who plan another vote. If impeached, Yoon’s presidential powers would be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides his fate. A dismissal would trigger a presidential election, potentially reshaping South Korea’s political landscape amid ongoing tensions. Source: With inputs from agencies

South Korean police are reportedly considering an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his controversial imposition of martial law last week, Yonhap news agency reported Monday. The potential travel restriction comes as authorities investigate Yoon’s decision to enforce martial law, which has drawn widespread criticism. Repeated attempts to reach the police for comment were unsuccessful. On Sunday, prosecutors detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is accused of advising Yoon to enact the brief but dramatic martial law. Kim's arrest marks the first detention in the ongoing probe. Read: Ex-South Korean defense chief held amid Martial Law controversy President Yoon narrowly escaped an impeachment attempt by opposition lawmakers on Sunday. A boycott by ruling party members prevented the parliamentary vote from reaching the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his powers. Source: With inputs from agencies

South Korean prosecutors have detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun in connection with the recent imposition of martial law, marking a significant development in a political crisis that has roiled the nation. Kim, who allegedly proposed the controversial decree to President Yoon Suk Yeol, was taken into custody on Sunday, making him the first high-ranking official detained over the incident, according to local media reports. Kim voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, where his mobile phone was confiscated before being transferred to a detention center. Authorities also searched his former office and residence. Prosecutors and detention officials have yet to issue formal statements on the matter. The detention comes days after President Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment, as his ruling People Power Party boycotted a parliamentary vote to prevent the opposition from reaching the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. Despite this, the opposition Democratic Party has vowed to file a fresh impeachment motion. Martial Law and Political Turmoil The martial law declaration earlier this week saw troops encircle the National Assembly and helicopters hover over the building, prompting immediate backlash. Parliament unanimously overturned the decree, forcing Yoon’s Cabinet to rescind it by early Wednesday morning. Kim has been accused by opposition lawmakers of orchestrating the martial law order and directing troop deployments to the National Assembly. The Defense Ministry has suspended three senior military commanders implicated in the event. Read: South Korean president apologises for imposing martial law In a statement issued through the Defense Ministry, Kim took full responsibility for the military’s actions, stating, “All troops who performed duties related to martial law were acting on my instructions, and all responsibility lies with me.” Charges and Investigation The Democratic Party has labeled the martial law declaration an unconstitutional rebellion or coup, filing legal complaints against at least nine individuals, including Yoon and Kim. Under South Korean law, sitting presidents are mostly immune from prosecution, except in cases of rebellion or treason, leaving open the possibility of further investigations into Yoon’s actions. Prosecutor General Shim Woo Jung confirmed plans to investigate rebellion charges following the opposition's formal complaints. Meanwhile, President Yoon issued an apology on Saturday, pledging accountability and promising not to pursue another attempt at martial law. Political and Public Reaction The martial law declaration—the first in South Korea in over 40 years—has plunged the nation into political chaos, drawing criticism domestically and internationally. Yoon justified the decree by accusing parliament of obstructing state affairs and harboring "anti-state forces." Public sentiment appears to favor impeachment, with recent surveys showing widespread support for Yoon's ouster. His approval ratings have been further damaged by scandals involving himself and his wife, as well as criticism from his own party over the martial law imposition. The crisis has alarmed South Korea's allies, including the United States and Japan, and deepened divisions within the ruling conservative People Power Party, which has so far resisted calls for Yoon's impeachment. Read more: South Korean President Yoon under fire for Martial Law declaration As protests intensify and political uncertainty grows, the detainment of Kim Yong Hyun marks a pivotal moment in South Korea’s ongoing political upheaval. Source: With inputs from agencies

Yoon Suk Yeol's rise to the pinnacle of South Korean politics was built on decades of legal achievements, yet his legacy may ultimately be defined by one mystifying decision: deploying troops under martial law based on ambiguous claims that one of Asia's leading democracies faced an existential threat, report AP. What in Yoon’s background hinted at this dramatic turn? Yoon, a staunch conservative and a veteran prosecutor, transitioned from a political newcomer to the presidency in 2022. His election marked the end of five years of liberal governance characterised by unsuccessful attempts to address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and economic stagnation. However, Yoon’s presidency has been marred by relentless friction with an opposition-controlled parliament, threats from North Korea, and scandals involving him and his wife. Critics describe him as impulsive, thin-skinned, and overly reliant on a close circle of loyalists. Key facts about martial law and the push to impeach South Korea’s president Amid impeachment proceedings in parliament, no single factor explains his move to override democratic norms with martial law, justified by his vague claim that “anti-state forces” influenced by North Korea were active. Yet, threads from Yoon's background, including his intense animosity towards the liberal opposition and his confrontational approach to North Korea, shed light on this pivotal moment in his presidency. A Turbulent Journey to Top Prosecutor Despite 2 1/2 years as president, Yoon’s career has primarily revolved around law enforcement rather than politics. Born in Seoul to two professors, Yoon studied law at Seoul National University. A defining moment came in 1980 when he enacted a mock trial against dictator Chun Doo-hwan during a university event, sentencing him to life imprisonment. This act forced Yoon into hiding as Chun extended martial law and deployed troops to the university. Yoon later returned to Seoul to pursue a nearly three-decade career as a state prosecutor, earning a reputation for being tough and unyielding. South Korean Defence Minister resigns A Confrontational Style Yet, his leadership style has drawn criticism for being unsuitable for high office. “President Yoon isn’t well-prepared and acts impulsively,” said Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership. “He shows his emotions openly and tends to operate within a tight-knit group, sidelining broader consensus.” This trait was evident during a 2013 parliamentary audit, where Yoon, then a senior prosecutor, accused his superiors of pressuring him to stop investigating allegations of election interference by the country’s spy agency. His bold declaration, “I’m not loyal to (high-level) people,” led to his demotion. Following the impeachment of conservative President Park Geun-hye in 2017, liberal President Moon Jae-in elevated Yoon to head of a key prosecution office, which investigated Park. Moon later appointed Yoon as South Korea’s top prosecutor. A Political Neophyte Yoon only entered politics about a year before his presidential victory, parting ways with Moon over a deadlock involving prosecution reforms. Moon’s allies accused Yoon of using the probe to bolster his own political ambitions. In 2022, Yoon narrowly defeated liberal firebrand Lee Jae-myung in South Korea’s closest presidential race, marred by vitriolic exchanges. Yoon likened Lee’s party to “Hitler” and “Mussolini,” while Lee’s allies called Yoon “a beast” and mocked his wife’s alleged cosmetic surgery. Domestic Discord Yoon’s presidency has been dominated by political gridlock and acrimony. His narrow electoral victory and his party’s inability to secure parliamentary control have exacerbated tensions. The opposition, which retains parliamentary dominance until 2027, has repeatedly clashed with Yoon over legislative and budgetary issues. Yoon justified his martial law declaration by accusing the opposition of plotting rebellion, citing their impeachment efforts against his officials and budgetary obstructions. Scandals have further eroded Yoon’s approval ratings. Last month, he denied involvement in an influence-peddling scandal linked to him and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. Separate footage purportedly shows Kim accepting a luxury gift from a pastor. Choi speculates that Yoon’s “clumsy martial law” attempt may have been an effort to distract from these controversies. “Yoon likely believed he had no other option to shake up the political landscape, but he failed,” Choi said. A Hardline Standoff with North Korea While domestic scandals have shaped Yoon’s presidency, his foreign policy has been marked by a hardline stance on North Korea. Yoon initially proposed economic incentives to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme. However, relations soured as Pyongyang intensified weapons testing and threats. By last year, North Korea was openly mocking Yoon, calling him “a diplomatic idiot” and sending balloons filled with trash over the border, some reaching the presidential compound. Yoon’s invocation of North Korea as a domestic threat echoes South Korea’s authoritarian past, when strongmen used fears of northern aggression to suppress political dissent.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, accusing opposition forces of sympathizing with North Korea and vowing to eliminate “anti-state” elements. His declaration followed months of political tensions, with the opposition controlling the parliament. However, within hours, South Korea's parliament voted to reverse the president's decision, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” Woo called for the military and police to withdraw from the Assembly grounds. The president’s move, reminiscent of past authoritarian measures not seen in South Korea since the 1980s, was swiftly condemned by both the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. In the wake of the declaration, South Korea’s military announced that political gatherings, including those in parliament, would be suspended. The military also instructed striking doctors to return to work within 48 hours, threatening arrest without a warrant for violators. Read: Emergency martial law declared in South Korea Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted by a majority vote in parliament, which is currently dominated by the opposition Democratic Party. The National Assembly’s swift response saw all 190 participating lawmakers voting in favor of rescinding the martial law, with TV footage showing soldiers leaving the parliament grounds afterward. Earlier, there were scenes of military and police presence around parliament, with soldiers seen carrying rifles and helicopters circling overhead. The conservative People Power Party’s leader, Han Dong-hoon, described the martial law declaration as “wrong,” while opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called it “illegal and unconstitutional.” In a televised address, President Yoon stated that martial law was necessary to prevent the nation from "falling into the depths of national ruin." He vowed to eliminate pro-North Korean forces and protect South Korea’s democratic order. Yoon, who has faced political challenges and a dip in approval ratings, has been struggling to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament. Yoon’s martial law declaration is the first in South Korea since its democratization in 1987 and the first since the last martial law was imposed in 1979. Source: With inputs from agencies

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law,” Tuesday accusing the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. Yoon made the announcement in a televised briefing, vowing to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” It wasn’t immediately clear how Yoon’s step would affect the country’s governance and democracy. The move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.” “Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin,” Yoon said during a televised speech, invoking South Korea’s formal name. “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating has dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. Yoon’s conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also been attempting to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations on Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. Syrian insurgents seize four towns amid clashes Yoon has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon’s announcement.

South Korea’s central bank on Thursday lowered its key policy rate for the second straight month and said the country’s economy will grow at a slower pace than it initially anticipated. Following a meeting of its monetary policymakers, the Bank of Korea cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3%. The bank lowered its outlook for the country’s economic growth from 2.4% to 2.2% for 2024 and from 2.1% to 1.9% for 2025. It was the second straight month that the bank took steps to lower borrowing costs and expand money supply, despite the lingering effects of high inflation and alarming levels of household debt, as concerns grow about a faltering economy. The bank had also slashed its policy rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.25% in October, which presented its first rate cut since May 2020, when the economy was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank said the country’s trade-dependent economy is facing growing uncertainties in global economic trends and inflation, which it said could be impacted by the policies of the new U.S. government led by Donald Trump and ongoing geopolitical conflicts. 'Everything is expensive!' Bolivia faces a shocking economic collapse Since winning reelection, Trump has vowed to slap huge new tariffs on foreign products entering the United States, including those from Mexico, Canada and China, which he insists will create more domestic jobs and shrink the federal deficit. The Bank of Korea said South Korea’s economy has been losing its growth momentum amid weak domestic consumption, slowing exports and decreasing employment. “Going forward, domestic consumption will see a mild recovery, but the recovery in exports is likely to be weaker than initially anticipated due to intensifying competition and strengthening of protectionist trade policies in key industries,” the bank said in a statement.  

South Korea’s president on Wednesday met a visiting Ukraine delegation and called for a joint response to the threat posed by North Korea’s recent dispatch of more than 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. The North Korean troop deployment is threatening to expand the almost three-year war, with Ukraine and the U.S. saying that some of the soldiers have already begun engaging in battle on the front lines. Seoul and Washington also worry that Russia might in return help North Korea build more advanced nuclear weapons targeting them. In late October, South Korea warned it could respond by supplying weapons to Ukraine. During a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, President Yoon Suk Yeol said he hopes that Seoul and Kiev will work out effective ways to cope with the security threat posed by the North Korean-Russian military cooperation including the North’s troop dispatch, Yoon’s office said in a statement. The Ukrainian delegation later met separately with Yoon’s national security adviser, Shin Wonsik, and Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun. During the meetings, Umerov briefed the South Korean officials on the status of the Russia-Ukraine war and expressed hope that Kyiv and Seoul will strengthen cooperation, the statement said. It said the two sides agreed to continue to share information on the North Korean troops in Russia and North Korean-Russian weapons and technology transfers while closely coordinating with the United States. The South Korean statement didn’t say whether the two sides discussed Seoul’s possible weapons supply to Ukraine. Many observers say Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election could make South Korea more cautious about potentially shipping weapons to Ukraine because Trump has promised to end the war swiftly. Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah start a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fighting Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, South Korea has joined U.S.-led sanctions against Moscow and shipped humanitarian and financial support to Kyiv. But it has avoided directly supplying arms in line with its policy of not supplying lethal weapons to countries actively engaged in conflicts. South Korean officials have said they will take phased countermeasures, linking the level of their response to the degree of Russia-North Korean cooperation. Shin, the national security adviser, said last week that Russia has supplied air defense missile systems to North Korea in exchange for its sending troops to Russia. Experts say it’s unlikely that Russia will transfer high-tech nuclear and missile technology to North Korea in the initial stage of the troop dispatch. North Korea and Russia have sharply increased their military and other cooperation as each face confrontations with the U.S. and its allies. The U.S., South Korea and others accuse North Korea of having shipped artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia.