
Following the events of the crisis in Seoul, South Korea has undergone changes in democratic leadership and has been under controversy due to the actions of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Prior to his presidency, Yoon Suk Yeol served as a prosecutor for 30 years (BRITTANICA). He attained national prominence after the prosecution of President Park Guen – Hye. In 2022, Yoon’s presidential campaign resulted in a victory, with less than 1% margin of the vote (CNN).
Throughout Yoon’s Presidency a variety of controversies occurred, most notably, surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was accused of corruption and influence peddling (BBC 1). His administration was declared a lame duck after a landslide victory of the Democratic Party for the Parliamentary vote (BBC 1). Following the shift in power, Yoon’s reputation was characterized by vetoes, leading to public criticism of his leadership style becoming authoritative (THE GUARDIAN 1). What followed were budget cuts that eroded public support.
On December 4th, 2024, emergency martial law was declared in Seoul by President Yoon Suk Yeol (BBC 2). This act is rarely invoked and only during periods of social or political strife. The decision to implement martial law was attributed to tensions with the opposition – led National assembly which was stated to be operating under a “legislative dictatorship.” (CSIS)
The response to President Yoon’s martial law was marked by city – wide protests, South Korean military closing the streets, and anger throughout the city (NEW YORK TIMES 2). The citizens expressed demands for the president’s arrests and thus, impeachment proceedings were initiated (AP NEWS)
For weeks, the President barricaded himself in his compound surrounded by the Presidential Security Service team (THE GUARDIAN 2). Stripped of political powers, he was wanted for multiple investigations, including allegations of insurrection. Such crimes are punishable for the death penalty. On January 15th Investigators scaled the president’s walls, and Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested (AL JAZEERA).
Han Duck Soo, the prime minister that became acting President was also impeached due to accusations of being President Yoon’s puppet (BBC 2). The acting president is now Choi Sang – mok who is also under threat of being impeached (BBC 2).
With the fall of President Yoon, the future of South Korea is now uncertain. To have the president suspended would require two – thirds of the national assembly and 6 months to confirm the suspension (NEW YORK TIMES 1). Should this decision be made, a presidential election would be required within 60 days (CNN)
As a result of the delay of President Yoon’s impeachment trials, The South Korean investment economy plummeted (THE DIPLOMAT). Investors rushed to invest into U.S treasury bonds and dollars. The South Korean stock market (ETF) fell by 6.5 percent in less than an hour (THE DIPLOMAT).
Socially, trust in the government eroded among South Korean citizens, questions remain regarding the direction of the nation’s leadership. (CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT) Concerns have been raised about whether a new president would adopt an authoritative approach similar to President Yoon’s (CARNEGIE ENDOWNMENT). If the impeachment is finalized, President Yoon would become the third conservative president to be removed from office, delivering a significant blow to the conservative party (NEW YORK TIMES 1).
Conversely, if the constitutional court fails to reach the required verdict, the President would be reinstated. This outcome would prompt further questions about how South Korean citizens might respond, knowing that they must continue to live under the leadership of a president whose administration has faced significant public dissent (KOREA PRO).
References
AL JAZEERA: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/15/south-korean-investigators-enter-presidents-home-in-second-arrest-attempt
BBC 1: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2nyp3pxrko
BBC 2: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0lgw1pw5zpo
BRITANNICA: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yoon-Suk-Yeol#ref371279
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/12/yoons-failed-political-coup-and-south-koreas-mounting-crisis?lang=en
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/05/asia/yoon-suk-yeol-korea-democracy-intl-hnk/index.html
CSIS: https://www.csis.org/analysis/yoon-declares-martial-law-south-korea
KOREA PRO: https://koreapro.org/2025/01/what-yoons-reinstatement-would-mean-for-south-koreas-political-future
NEW YORK TIMES 1: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-court-impeachment.html
NEW YORK TIMES 2: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/03/world/south-korea-martial-law
THE DIPLOMAT: https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/the-economic-costs-of-delaying-the-impeachment-of-south-korean-president-yoon/
THE GUARDIAN 1: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/declaration-of-martial-law-awakens-ghosts-south-koreans-thought-were-laid-to-rest
THE GUARDIAN 2: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/11/inside-south-korea-president-residence-fortress