Political Turmoil in South Korea Following President Yoon's Emergency Declaration and Impeachment Vote

In the wake of President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of a state of emergency and its subsequent lifting, South Korea's political landscape remains chaotic as the impeachment motion against him has been rejected.

On December 12, at 10 PM, KBS will air a special episode of its documentary series, 'Documentary Insight,' titled <The Politics of Impeachment>. This episode will meticulously analyze the pivotal moments surrounding the impeachment vote that took place on December 7. It will explore why members of the ruling People Power Party chose to abstain from the vote and what factors weighed heavily on their minds during this critical decision. The documentary aims to provide insights into the current political situation in South Korea through the lens of the impeachment process.

On the night of December 3, President Yoon delivered an unexpected address to the nation, declaring a state of emergency and imposing martial law. This announcement sent shockwaves across the country, with military helicopters flying over urban areas and troops surrounding the National Assembly. Although the martial law was lifted after approximately three hours, citizens spent the night in fear.

The declaration of martial law ignited discussions about impeachment. Controversies regarding the legality of the president's actions arose not only from the opposition but also within the ruling party, leading to the introduction of an impeachment motion in the National Assembly. However, the vote was ultimately thwarted due to a lack of quorum, as many members of the People Power Party chose not to attend. According to the National Assembly Act, at least 200 members, or two-thirds of the total, must be present for the impeachment motion to be deliberated. On the day of the vote, only three members of the People Power Party—Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook—participated.

Just a day before the vote, the likelihood of the impeachment motion passing seemed high, with party leader Han Dong-hoon expressing support for it and many within the party appearing to back the motion. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically following President Yoon's address to the public on the morning of the vote, leading the People Power Party to opt for abstention. What caused this sudden change in sentiment? What criteria guide the decisions of politicians?

The 'Documentary Insight' episode <The Politics of Impeachment> will delve deeply into the current impeachment situation, tracking the atmosphere and decision-making processes during an emergency party meeting. It will also analyze the statements and reactions of lawmakers from both sides following the rejection of the impeachment motion. Additionally, insights from international scholars, such as Joe Wright, a political science professor at Pennsylvania State University, and John Joseph Chin, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, will shed light on the implications of the impeachment crisis for South Korean politics from a global perspective.

Tune in to KBS 1TV this Thursday at 10 PM for the airing of 'Documentary Insight: The Politics of Impeachment.' This program transcends traditional documentary formats, offering diverse information in each episode. It is available for viewing on KBS's official channels and airs every Thursday night at 10 PM.