South Korean Parliament impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol after martial law controversy

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, impeached on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, has been stripped of his duties and powers as head of state but remains president while the Constitutional Court decides his fate.

Regarded as a tough political survivor but increasingly isolated, he has been dogged by personal scandals and strife, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party.

After he narrowly won election in 2022, his recent battles have left him increasingly bitter and have drawn out a recklessness that a former rival said was his defining trait.

 

By the time Yoon imposed a short-lived martial law on Dec. 3, he was badly bruised politically. 

This week, his appeal that he had acted only out of "burning patriotism" to save the country from destruction and defiance to "fight to the end" did little to ensure continued support from those who earlier were not convinced he had committed an impeachable crime.

Instead, the 29-minute address drew alarm that he may have become unhinged, his sense of judgment so badly damaged that he was now a danger to the global industrial powerhouse and one of the most powerful success stories of democratic resilience.

 

Shin Yul, Myongji University political science professor, said Yoon was likely listening to the wrong people such as right-wing extremists, YouTube personalities, and probably "still thinks he did the right thing."

 

An opposition Democratic Party member said Yoon's address was a "display of extreme delusion".

 

Even those who were more sympathetic said he had buckled under extreme pressure under endless political attacks, some of which he probably took personally.

 

"I hope we remember how the opposition party has incredibly and viciously pushed the president and his family into the corner with threats of special prosecutors and impeachment," Ihn Yohan, a physician and member of parliament for Yoon's People Power Party (PPP), said.

Here are some of the powers he loses and what he continues to enjoy, according to the constitution, statutes and protocol guidelines.

 

POWERS, DUTIES SUSPENDED

Yoon's main constitutional powers have been transferred to Acting President Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the Yoon-picked prime minister.

These include the power to sign diplomatic treaties, appoint diplomats and put matters of national importance on foreign, defence and unification affairs to a referendum.

 

Yoon loses the sole power to declare martial law and to declare war against a foreign state, command of the military and immunity from prosecution for crimes.

 

The powers to appoint public officials including cabinet ministers, the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the three vacancies on the Constitutional Court are also suspended.

WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE

As he remains president despite being suspended of the duties, he is entitled to remain in his official residence, use the presidential motorcade, aircraft and presidential security.

 

Yoon will continue to collect his 255 million won ($170,000) annual salary.

 

BENEFITS AS FORMER PRESIDENT

If removed from office, Yoon would lose all benefits awarded former presidents, including a pension worth 95% of his salary at the time of retirement and a staff of up to four people.

 

He would continue to receive security protection but not financial support for a private office, transportation and medical care for himself and his family.