In brief
Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law that quickly unraveled, South Korean opposition parties have instigated impeachment proceedings against him. The opposition, galvanized by large-scale protests against the martial law, submitted the impeachment motion with a potential vote scheduled for this Friday. Despite the dominance of opposition parties in the National Assembly, the crucial two-thirds majority for impeachment remains uncertain.
Yoon's unexpected announcement marked the first use of military rule in over 40 years and stirred fears of a return to the era of dictatorship. The plan faltered dramatically when legislators defied armed troops aimed at blocking their access to the assembly, ultimately overturning the martial law in a unanimous vote amongst the 190 present members. Reports suggest that Yoon's whereabouts remain undisclosed while his standing diminishes further, with resignations surfacing from key figures including the defense minister and his chief of staff.
