South Korea faces a political storm as President Yoon grapples with impeachment proceedings and allegations of controversial orders. Yoon, detained in mid-January on insurrection charges, is the first sitting South Korean head of state to be arrested. Currently, he attends hearings at the Constitutional Court, which will determine the fate of his impeachment. If upheld, a by-election must occur within 60 days to elect a new president.
The impeachment and subsequent criminal investigation stem from Yoon's decree, which requires a parliamentary majority to be voted down. Lawmakers challenge this decree, leading to tensions with Yoon's administration. Allegations have emerged that Yoon suggested arresting MPs to prevent them from voting against the decree.
Yoon denied instructing military commanders to forcibly remove lawmakers from parliament. However, conflicting testimonies have surfaced. Kwak, a key figure in the unfolding drama, contradicted Yoon's claims, stating that Yoon ordered him to extract MPs from the assembly.
"Rather than using an aggressive tone, (Kwak) almost implored me to find a way, saying the number had to be kept under 150," – Kim
Kim, another witness, revealed that Kwak inquired about methods to enter parliament, including potentially "shutting down the power." He further mentioned his response when asked about the feasibility of such actions.
"No, we can't. We can't go in any further," – Kim
These revelations add complexity to Yoon's predicament as he faces both impeachment and a separate criminal probe. Despite the gravity of the situation, Yoon maintains that ordering arrests would not legally matter since no such actions were executed.
The outcome of the Constitutional Court's decision bears significant implications not only for Yoon's presidency but also for South Korea's political landscape. As the nation awaits the verdict, discussions continue over the legality and ethics of Yoon's alleged actions.
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