Chaos in South Korea – The opposition has called for Yoon’s ouster

As reported, the head of state initially declared martial law and announced a few hours later that he would revoke it (see video above). There had previously been a budget dispute between Yoon’s PP party and the DP. Moreover, tensions on the Korean peninsula have been rising for months. Neighboring North Korea has significantly stepped up its missile tests and intensified its rhetoric against the US and South Korea. Thousands of soldiers were sent to Russia to help retake the Kursk region.

Yoon: The opposition sympathizes with North Korea
Yoon cited the role of the opposition in the country as justification for the state of emergency. He accused them of sympathizing with the North Korean government. Martial law aims to “eliminate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom.”

Here you see photos from South Korea.

Moments later, the National Assembly unanimously called on the president to lift the state of emergency. There were no indications that the totalitarian ruled neighboring country was involved. The president is now under increasing pressure.

What are the consequences of dismissal?
On Wednesday, the country’s main trade union federation called for an “indefinite general strike” until Yoon steps down. Even the head of his party, Hang Dong Hoon, spoke of a “tragic situation” and that all those responsible “must be held strictly accountable.” High-ranking Yoon employees have already offered to resign as a group.

The DP threatened impeachment proceedings if the president did not resign. There were peaceful demonstrations around the parliament building overnight. The briefly imposed state of siege caused international concern. Political differences must be resolved “peacefully and in accordance with the principles of the rule of law,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.