In an unprecedented turn of events, South Korea’s political landscape witnessed the rapid rise and equally swift fall of Yoon Suk Yeol. Once a renowned prosecutor, Yoon ascended to the presidency just a year after entering politics, only to be ousted by the Constitutional Court four months later. The decision stemmed from his bewildering choice to implement martial law and deploy military forces on the streets of Seoul.
Yoon’s leadership style, characterized by assertiveness and a firm resolve often verging on inflexibility, was effective in his prosecutorial career. As a prosecutor, he was lauded for his unwavering stance against powerful figures. However, his approach proved detrimental within the political arena, where collaboration and consensus with an opposition-majority parliament were essential.
Yoon, who at 64 sought to consolidate his conservative political base, justified the martial law declaration as a critical move to rally public support. His administration was under continual siege by liberal rivals, who he accused of leveraging their parliamentary majority to derail his political agenda and impeach his key officials. Political analysts, however, criticized his decision as a strategic blunder. The liberal-dominated parliament swiftly annulled his martial law decree, leading to his impeachment and subsequent trial at the Constitutional Court.
In another legal blow, prosecutors indicted Yoon on charges of rebellion, with potential penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death sentence. Following the court’s ruling, Yoon expressed deep remorse for failing to meet the expectations of the South Korean populace, though he did not clearly state whether he accepted the decision.
Yoon’s journey to the presidency was fueled by his reputation as a formidable prosecutor. With a career spanning approximately 26 years, he made headlines in 2013 by publicly accusing superiors of obstructing significant investigations, notably one probing election interference by the state’s intelligence agency. His bold assertion, “I’m not loyal to (high-level) people,” became a symbol of his tenacity. Despite a temporary demotion, he rebounded when liberal President Moon Jae-in appointed him to lead critical corruption investigations.
In 2021, Yoon transitioned into politics, parting ways with the Moon administration amidst disputes over investigations into Moon’s associates. Accusations flew from both sides, with Yoon accusing Moon’s government of corruption and incompetence, while Moon’s supporters alleged Yoon sought personal political gain. Yoon joined the opposition People Power Party, navigating a complex political landscape to ultimately defeat the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung in the 2022 presidential election. The campaign was marked by personal attacks and vitriolic exchanges between Yoon and Lee.
Yoon’s presidency was not without successes on the international stage. He endeavored to strengthen South Korea’s military alliance with the United States and mend strained ties with Japan, aiming to create a robust trilateral defense arrangement to address the North Korean threat. Notable events included a memorable serenade at a White House state dinner and a pivotal summit with U.S. and Japanese leaders at Camp David.
However, Yoon’s domestic tenure was overshadowed by relentless conflict with the opposition-led Democratic Party. The party passed 30 impeachment motions against officials within Yoon’s administration. The singular impeachment that succeeded was Yoon’s own. Yoon’s attempt to bypass the legislative gridlock through martial law was met with severe criticism. He labeled the National Assembly as lawless and anti-state, while the Democratic Party condemned his actions and character.
Complicating matters, allegations against First Lady Kim Keon Hee surfaced, involving luxury gifts, potential manipulation of stock prices, and undue influence in political races. These controversies provided ample political fodder for the Democratic Party, further undermining Yoon’s presidency.