Korea's Parliament Under Lockdown Amid Political Crisis
South Korea’s National Assembly is under full lockdown with lawmakers barred from entering or leaving, as President Yoon faces impeachment threats and allegations of ordering arrests of opposition leaders.
A dramatic political crisis is unfolding in South Korea as the National Assembly has been placed under complete lockdown, highlighting escalating tensions between President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposition parties.
The crisis stems from revelations that during the recent martial law declaration, President Yoon allegedly ordered the arrest of key political figures, including Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, labeling them as “anti-state forces.” These allegations have severely damaged Yoon’s political standing.
The military has distanced itself from the president, with the Defense Ministry issuing an unprecedented apology and stating they would not follow any future martial law orders. This represents a significant blow to presidential authority in South Korea, where civilian control of the military has been a cornerstone of democracy.
The People Power Party, Yoon’s own party, has made a stunning reversal by calling for him to step down. Party leader Han Dong-hoon, after meeting with Yoon for an hour, maintained his position that the president must suspend his duties immediately to prevent further crisis.
Opposition lawmakers have barricaded themselves inside the National Assembly, vowing to remain until the impeachment vote concludes. They fear potential military mobilization despite military leaders' assurances to the contrary. The opposition parties appear determined to move forward with impeachment proceedings.
Even First Lady Kim Keon Hee has reportedly distanced herself from her husband, claiming she would have prevented the martial law declaration had she known about it in advance. This family rift further isolates the president politically.
The crisis has also drawn international attention, with the U.S. State Department carefully noting that the U.S.-South Korea alliance transcends any individual president or administration, suggesting growing international concerns about political stability in this key Asian democracy.
This confluence of events - military insubordination, party abandonment, family distancing, and opposition unity - has created what many observers see as an untenable position for President Yoon. The National Assembly’s lockdown represents a critical juncture in this unfolding constitutional crisis, with the president’s political survival hanging in the balance.
The situation demonstrates the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions in the face of executive overreach, though it has also revealed concerning vulnerabilities in the country’s political system. As events continue to unfold, the eyes of the world remain fixed on Seoul’s corridors of power.