South Korea was thrown into chaos on Tuesday when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in a late-night address. The move, prompted by the main opposition Democratic Party’s attempt to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal, was quickly overturned by lawmakers in a dramatic turn of events. Yoon accepted the reversal after six hours.
The declaration of martial law sparked protests and condemnation, with opposition parties planning to introduce a bill to impeach Yoon. If the impeachment motion is approved by more than two-thirds of lawmakers, a trial will be held before the Constitutional Court to decide the president’s fate.
Yoon’s controversial actions come amid declining public support and a deadlock with the opposition over next year’s budget. The president has faced criticism for rejecting calls for investigations into scandals involving his wife and officials.
Internationally, the White House expressed relief at Yoon’s decision to reverse martial law, while the UK, Germany, Russia, and China closely monitored the situation in South Korea.
If Yoon is impeached, the prime minister will assume leadership until a new election is held within 60 days. In the meantime, more protests are expected as the country grapples with political uncertainty and unrest.
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