Yoon Suk Yeol: South Korea's scandal-hit leader who declared martial law

The future of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is uncertain following a tumultuous night where he unexpectedly announced martial law and then revoked it just as quickly, throwing the nation into confusion.

Yoon, who barely secured the presidency in 2022, was already facing significant unpopularity and increasing pressure after his party lost the parliamentary elections in April, which many viewed as a referendum on his leadership.

He has also faced personal issues. Just last month, he publicly apologized to the country in a televised speech for a series of scandals involving his wife, which included claims that she accepted an expensive Dior handbag and engaged in stock manipulation.

He is currently under pressure to step down, and legislators have indicated their intention to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

The unexpected effort to declare martial law on Tuesday night caught everyone off guard.

Lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly in Seoul to cast their votes against the order. Meanwhile, outside, police gathered as thousands of angry protesters assembled.

The same group of people burst into applause when Yoon reversed his decision just a few hours later and announced that he would revoke the martial law order.

Many were taken aback that he would engage in such a risky situation and then retreat so quickly, both in South Korea and around the globe.

Yoon was relatively new to the political scene when he became president. He gained national attention for his role in prosecuting the corruption case against former President Park Geun-hye, who had fallen from grace, in 2016.

In 2022, the newcomer to politics achieved a narrow victory over his liberal rival Lee Jae-myung, winning by less than 1% of the votes. This was the tightest election outcome South Korea has experienced since it began holding direct elections in 1987.

During a period when South Korean society was facing growing divides over gender-related topics, Yoon sought to connect with younger male voters by campaigning against feminism.

Don S Lee, an associate professor of public administration at Sungkyunkwan University, noted that there were “great expectations” for Yoon upon his election. “His supporters thought that his administration would prioritize principles, transparency, and efficiency,” he explained.

Yoon has also taken a strong, aggressive position regarding North Korea. He mentioned the North Korean regime on Tuesday night while attempting to implement martial law.

He stated that he needed to safeguard against North Korean troops and remove "anti-state elements," although it was clear from the beginning that his statement was more focused on his internal issues than on any actual threat from the North.

Yoon has a reputation for making blunders, which haven’t done his approval ratings any favors. During his 2022 campaign, he had to retract a statement where he described the authoritarian leader Chun Doo-hwan—who imposed martial law and was accountable for the massacre of protesters in 1980—as someone who was “skilled in politics.”

Later that year, he had to reject accusations that he had disrespected the US Congress during comments he made following a meeting with President Joe Biden in New York.

He was picked up on an open microphone and was recorded appearing to refer to American politicians using a Korean term that can mean "fools" or something even harsher. The clip rapidly gained popularity in South Korea.

Yoon has achieved some progress in foreign relations, particularly in strengthening connections with Japan, a country with which his nation has had a complicated history.

Yoon's time in office has been overshadowed by controversy. A significant part of the scrutiny has focused on his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who faced allegations of corruption and using her influence improperly. One of the most talked-about incidents involved claims that she received a Dior handbag from a pastor.

In November, Yoon expressed his regrets regarding his wife's actions but dismissed requests for an inquiry into her involvement.

However, his standing as president continued to be unstable. By early November, his approval ratings fell to 17%, marking the lowest point since he assumed office.

In April, the opposition Democratic Party achieved a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, delivering a significant blow to Yoon and his People Power Party.

Yoon became a president with limited power, mainly stopping bills approved by the opposition, a strategy he employed more than ever before, according to Celeste Arrington, the director of The George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies.

This week, the opposition significantly cut the budget proposed by the government and the ruling party, and there's no way to veto the budget bill.

During that period, the opposition began taking steps to impeach members of the cabinet, particularly the leader of the government audit agency, due to their inability to look into the actions of the first lady.

Facing significant political pressure, Yoon made a bold and surprising decision to take drastic measures, an action that many would not have anticipated.

Dr. Arrington remarked, “In the past few weeks, numerous analysts have expressed concern over a political crisis arising from the clash between the president and the National Assembly, which is dominated by the opposition. However, hardly anyone anticipated such a drastic step as the announcement of martial law.”

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, characterized President Yoon's announcement of martial law as an "excessive use of authority and a poor political judgment."

Dr. Easley told the BBC that the president must have realized how challenging it would be to carry out his late-night order, especially given the very little public backing and the lack of strong support from his own party and administration.

He came across as a politician in crisis, taking urgent action in response to growing scandals, resistance from institutions, and increasing demands for his impeachment—situations that are expected to escalate even further.

Yoon has faced criticism from politicians across the spectrum after a group of lawmakers, including some from his own party, quickly voted to end martial law on Tuesday night. The opposition Democratic Party is pushing for Yoon’s impeachment, and even leaders within Yoon’s party have called for him to step down. Reports from Yonhap news agency indicate that many of Yoon’s top advisors have pledged to resign as well.

Opposition leader Lee is expressing a positive outlook, speaking to the media about how Yoon's "unlawful announcement of martial law" presents a significant chance to disrupt the harmful cycle and restore a normal society.

The impact of Tuesday night’s events will extend beyond the borders of South Korea. Yoon's statement has shaken the country's allies. Officials in the United States, a vital partner, expressed surprise at Yoon's announcement and are calling on South Korea to handle the situation “in line with legal standards.” Meanwhile, Japan has stated that it is keeping a close watch on the developments in South Korea with “significant and serious concern.”

At the same time, North Korea, which has increased its confrontations with South Korea lately, might try to take advantage of the disagreements within Seoul, according to Dr. Easley.

Anger continues to spread across South Korea. On Wednesday, crowds of demonstrators took to the streets to criticize President Yoon. One of the nation's biggest labor unions, representing more than a million members, is urging workers to strike until he steps down.

It's not certain what Yoon intends to do next. He hasn't shown up in public since the controversy erupted.

"His unpopularity has been growing due to how he has handled the issues surrounding his own behavior and that of the first lady," former South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated in an interview with BBC Newsday. "It’s now up to the president to figure out how to escape this situation he has created for himself."

Regardless of how Yoon decides to handle the situation, his failed declaration of martial law could be the final nail in the coffin for his unstable presidency.