Protesters take part in a candlelight rally calling for the ouster of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol on the steps of the National Assembly in Seoul on December 5, 2024. Yoon was still clinging to power on December 5, with his party announcing they will oppose an impeachment motion after his short-lived imposition of martial law stunned the world. (Photo by JUNG Yeon-je / AFP)
In South Korea, large-scale protests are ongoing against President Yoon Suk Yeol, fueled by his controversial leadership decisions, including the brief declaration of martial law earlier this week. Public demands center on his resignation, with criticisms spanning several areas:
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Martial Law Incident: The president declared martial law but reversed the decision within hours following public outrage and parliamentary intervention. Critics view the move as an unconstitutional overreach, prompting investigations and an impeachment motion​.
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Economic Concerns: Protesters accuse Yoon of policies that favor the wealthy while neglecting the working class and small businesses. Complaints include declining real wages, insufficient social welfare funding, and continued rice imports that hurt local farmers.
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Foreign Policy: His approach to strengthening ties with the U.S. and Japan, perceived hostility toward China and North Korea, and involvement in global power dynamics have sparked fears of South Korea becoming a proxy in potential conflicts​
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Political Allegations: Reports of undue influence by the first lady and claims of government favoritism in military and political appointments have further eroded public trust​.
The impeachment motion filed by opposition parties is under consideration, and if passed, the Constitutional Court will decide his fate within 180 days. Meanwhile, protests continue to grow in scale, reflecting deep dissatisfaction across various segments of South Korean society​.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is a member of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). He was elected in March 2022, defeating the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung in a tightly contested race. Yoon’s presidency began on May 10, 2022, and his term is set to last five years without the possibility of re-election under South Korean law.
The ongoing rallies are largely supported and organized by a coalition of opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and various left-wing and progressive groups. These opposition parties have also filed an impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of unconstitutional actions such as the brief imposition of martial law, economic mismanagement, and favoritism​.
In addition to the political opposition, trade unions, civic organizations, and leftist activists are prominent in leading the demonstrations. They criticize Yoon’s economic policies and alleged threats to democratic norms​.
