South Korea: Yoon “Protected,” Defense Minister Arrested
Protesters in the streets gather around the Seoul parliament
The political crisis in South Korea is escalating. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has actually been arrested in Seoul: according to the accusation, he played the leading role in the decision to impose martial law announced by Yoon Suk-yeol on December 3 and then recalled hours later. Meanwhile, the South Korean prosecutor’s office has also filed criminal charges against Yoon.
On December 5, Yoon accepted Minister Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation after he claimed responsibility for the incident. In the final hours, Yoon survived the impeachment vote, promoted by the opposition, unscathed: his party, the People’s Power Party, saved him, but at the same time placed him “under guardianship.” That is, it will ensure that Yoon is no longer actively involved in public affairs, including diplomacy. Party leader Han Dong-hoon made the announcement, promising “a strict and transparent investigation” into the incident.
However, the opposition is on martial law, claiming that it is once again unconstitutional to delegate authority without resorting to resignation or impeachment. In Seoul, thousands of people took to the streets and gathered outside the Seoul parliament building on Sunday, demanding Yoon’s impeachment and arrest, as well as the dissolution of his ruling party.