Here are the highlights of more than three weeks of political chaos in South Korea, from the short-lived martial law established by then-deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol to the dismissal of his interim successor on Friday.
A short-lived martial law
On December 3, at 10:23 p.m. (1:23 p.m. GMT), President Yoon appeared on television for an unexpected speech and declared martial law, against a backdrop of a budget blockage in Parliament, dominated by the opposition.
The unpopular 63-year-old leader says he wants to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces [et] eliminate elements hostile to the State. Political activities are prohibited, sealing is decreed. Helicopters land on the roof of Parliament.
Two hours later, some 190 deputies managed to enter the Assembly, after being briefly prevented by soldiers. Outside, thousands of people are demanding the president’s departure.
MPs vote unanimously in favor of a motion blocking martial law and calling for its lifting. A few hours after proclaiming it, the president reappears on television and repeals martial law.
Impeachment motion and investigation
On the afternoon of December 4, the opposition announced that it would present a motion for dismissal, while some of its elected officials filed several complaints for “rebellion” against the president, his former ministers of Defense and Interior and other major figures of the brief martial law. Thousands of people march in Seoul.
The next day, the head of Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, declared that his party would stand against the motion.
The police open an investigation for “rebellion”, particularly against Yoon Suk Yeol.
First impeachment motion fails
“I have caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I offer my sincere apologies,” concluded Mr. Yoon on the morning of December 7, before bowing deeply to viewers during an address to the nation.
A few hours later, he escaped dismissal, saved by the deputies of his party, who boycotted the vote despite the pressure of tens of thousands of demonstrators.
“Until the last minute”
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, considered the person who pushed the president to impose martial law, was arrested on December 8.
A few hours later, the main opposition party announced that it would try again on December 14 to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol. The next day, the president was banned from leaving the country.
On December 12, Yoon Suk Yeol defends his martial law, assuring that he will “fight until the last minute.”
Explosion of joy
Around 5 p.m. (8 a.m. GMT), on December 14, the result of the vote on the second impeachment motion fell: 204 elected in favor and 85 against, for three absences and eight invalid ballots.
Yoon Suk Yeol is suspended. The Constitutional Court has six months to confirm or refute this dismissal.
In front of Parliament, tens of thousands of demonstrators explode with joy. The interim is held by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
But 10 days later, the main opposition party announced its intention to have him dismissed by Parliament, with deputies accusing him of having “actively participated in the insurrection” after his predecessor’s failed attempt to establish the martial law.
Second impeachment
On December 26, the Corruption Investigation Bureau sent a third summons to deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol, under investigation for “rebellion”, a crime punishable by death. He had not shown up for the two previous auditions to which he had been invited.
Friday, December 27, the interim president is in turn dismissed. The role of interim head of state now falls to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.
