South Korea plunged deeper into a political crisis Monday as opposition leaders accused President Yoon Suk Yeol’s supporters of orchestrating what they called a “second coup” by blocking impeachment efforts against the embattled leader.
The confrontation follows Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration last week, which collapsed within hours after parliamentary resistance. The incident triggered a sweeping investigation into potential insurrection charges, with prosecutors targeting both the president and his inner circle.
The ruling People Power Party thwarted an initial impeachment vote through a boycott, defending an unusual arrangement where Yoon would retain his title while surrendering executive powers to party officials and the prime minister.
“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said, demanding an immediate end to the arrangement.
Constitutional scholars have challenged the legitimacy of this power-sharing scheme. “If there are issues with the President, there are ways laid out in the Constitution such as suspending the president from his duties, and then move on to proceedings set out in the Constitution, such as impeachment,” Kim Hae-won, who teaches constitutional law at Pusan National University, told AFP.
Authorities have already taken significant steps, including detaining the ex-defense minister and imposing travel restrictions on key officials, including Yoon as of Monday, while the investigation is ongoing. Police chief investigator Woo Jong-soo indicated no one is beyond scrutiny, saying, “There are no human or physical restrictions to the subject of an investigation.”
Military command remains a critical concern amid the leadership uncertainty. Defense officials confirmed Monday that Yoon continues to hold authority over the armed forces, despite the ongoing crisis — a significant factor given the peninsula’s unresolved status with North Korea.
Recent polling shows Yoon’s public support has cratered to 11%, marking the lowest approval rating in his presidency. While acknowledging causing “anxiety and inconvenience,” he has resisted calls to step down, instead deferring to his party on his political future.
Opposition forces have scheduled another impeachment attempt for Saturday, with mass protests anticipated around the National Assembly.
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