South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a final appeal in his impeachment trial Tuesday, defending his martial law decree as necessary to combat anti-state forcesin parliament. The Constitutional Court’s imminent ruling could remove him from office or restore presidential powers by mid-March.
December’s controversial decree triggered nationwide chaos, with troops deployed to the National Assembly and financial markets plunging.
I acted out of desperation to expose the opposition’s sabotage of national interests,Yoon stated, accusing the Democratic Party of obstructing governance through budget cuts and impeachment campaigns.
The impeachment marks South Korea’s most severe constitutional crisis since 2016. Key developments include:
- Unanimous parliamentary rejection of martial law within 48 hours
- Military commanders testifying about orders to block lawmakers
- Yoon facing rebellion charges carrying life imprisonment
Opposition leader Jung Chung-rai condemned the president’s actions:
Using troops to seal parliament violates every democratic principle. This impeachment must restore constitutional order.
Analysts warn the court’s decision risks deepening ideological divides. Over 80% of conservative voters oppose impeachment, while 68% of liberals demand Yoon’s removal. A snap election could follow if he’s ousted.
Yoon pledged constitutional reforms during testimony, including:
- Transitioning to a U.S.-style presidential term system
- Early resignation to enable political restructuring
- Enhanced checks on parliamentary authority
The 1987 single-term system—designed to prevent dictatorships—now faces scrutiny. Recent polling shows 54% support term limit revisions amid deadlocked governance.
With protests paralyzing Seoul’s streets, experts emphasize the ruling’s historical significance. This tests whether South Korea’s institutions can withstand extreme polarization,said Ewha University political scientist Park Ji-young. The court must balance legal rigor with national unity concerns.
