Jakarta – The martial law declared by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has led to serious consequences. Yoon Suk Yeol is now facing the death penalty over a charge of ‘rebellion.’
For context, Yoon shocked the world when he suddenly declared martial law, suspending civilian governance, at midnight on Tuesday (3/12). This led to the deployment of soldiers and military helicopters to the South Korean parliament building.
However, opposition members of parliament managed to hold a vote, which unanimously rejected the martial law and urged Yoon to revoke it. The result of the parliamentary vote is legally binding, and Yoon then announced the revocation of the martial law.
The martial law, which had caused public concern in South Korea, lasted only about six hours. Following the turmoil, opposition parties submitted a motion for impeachment against Yoon, accusing the South Korean president of having “severely violated the constitution and laws.”
If the impeachment motion is passed in a vote in parliament on Saturday (7/12) evening, Yoon will be temporarily removed from his position as president while awaiting a decision from the Constitutional Court, which will convene to determine whether the impeachment is justified.
The Constitutional Court has 180 days to deliberate on Yoon’s impeachment. If the six judges of the Constitutional Court approve the impeachment, Yoon will be officially removed as President of South Korea, and a new presidential election must be held within 60 days from the time the impeachment is formalized.
Facing the Death Penalty
However, impeachment is not the only consequence Yoon is facing for his decision. The South Korean president is also under investigation by the police for alleged “rebellion.”
The “rebellion” charge is based on a formal complaint filed by the opposition with the police after the martial law drama unfolded from Tuesday (3/12) night until Wednesday (4/12) early morning.
In addition to investigating Yoon, according to the official news agency Yonhap, the police are also investigating Interior Minister Lee Sang Min and former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun for their involvement in declaring martial law in South Korea this week.
Kim, who recently resigned as defense minister, has now been banned from leaving the country by South Korean law enforcement authorities.
The charge of rebellion is a serious crime that surpasses the president’s immunity and carries a potential death sentence.
