South Korea crossed a decisive turning point this Saturday, December 14, 2024. For the second time in its history, an exercise president was dismissed. The motion voted by the Parliament marks the fall of Yoon Suk Yeol, 63, a conservative leader who had attempted to impose martial law, plunging the country into an unprecedented political crisis.
After an initial failure on December 7, the second vote was final: 204 votes for, 85 against. The fateful threshold of 200 votes could not have been reached without the tilting of several deputies of the Power of Power to the People (PPP), hitherto faithful to the President. If the outcome of the vote remains suspended from the approval of the Constitutional Court, this temporary dismissal shakes the institutions and raises questions about the country’s ability to overcome its internal divisions.
Before the vote, an immense crowd gathered in an icy cold in Seoul to demand the departure of Yoon Suk Yeol. Police estimated the number of demonstrators at more than 200,000. Impressive scenes have illustrated the extent of the rejection: distribution of heated patches, meals offered by the singer of K-Pop Yuri, which has become a symbolic figure of the protest. Among the scored slogans, popular anger clearly appears: “We will no longer tolerate the abuses of power!” »»
But the street was not in unison. Supporters of the president also demonstrated, wearing South Korean and American flags, demanding the arrest of opposition leaders.
An aborted coup attempt
The dismissal of Yoon Suk Yeol finds its source in the events of December 3. That night, the president had established the martial law, a first in forty years, and deployed the special forces to try to muzzle the parliament. Despite these efforts, 190 deputies had succeeded in meeting, voting unanimously a motion demanding the lifting of martial law. The images of improvised barricades inside the hemicycle, with tables and chairs stacked to block the soldiers, will remain engraved in memories.
Faced with this resistance, Yoon had been forced to retreat, but the evil was done. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, knew how to capitalize on this attempted coup to obtain the voices necessary for dismissal. Meanwhile, the head of the Seoul military command and several senior national police officials were arrested, accused of conspiracy.
Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo will assure the interim
Pending the verdict of the Constitutional Court, Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo will ensure the interim. But the transition promises to be chaotic. The courtyard, where only six out of nine judges are currently sitting, will have to decide unanimously to validate the dismissal. If it confirms the decision, Yoon will join Park Geun-Hye to the rank of the fallen presidents. On the other hand, a rejection would recall the precedent of Roh Moo-Hyun in 2004, whose dismissal had been canceled.
