The South Korean president, more cornered than ever, is relying on procedural complexities to stay in office

A rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024. KIM HONG-JI / REUTERS The thousands of wreaths of yellow, red and white flowers brighten up the wall of The presidential compound in the Yongsan district in the heart of Seoul. Addressed to the conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol, they are decorated with soft pink ribbons which call on him to “stand firm” and proclaim “unwavering solidarity” with “our beloved leader”. Respect for democratic debate or fear of a security service on the lookout, no one has vandalized these offerings sent from all over Korea by individuals, anonymous or not, or evangelical churches. They are irreducible supporters of the president, at the heart of the storm since his aborted declaration of martial law on December 3 to face an obscure North Korean threat and muzzle a National Assembly that he considers to be in the hands of the communists. Mr. Yoon is banned from traveling abroad, faces life imprisonment or even the death penalty for treason and insurrection, and is subject to impeachment which could be voted on December 14. Credited with a popularity rating of barely 11%, the president nevertheless remains determined “to [se] fight alongside the people until the end,” as he recalled in a televised speech on December 12. The former prosecutor asserted that “the exercise of the president’s right to declare martial law is an act of government that is not subject to judicial review, as is the case with presidential pardons or diplomatic powers.” “. You have 77.03% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.



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