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SEOUL (Reuters) – The impeachment of South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol on Saturday, suspending him from office, ended 11 days of political crisis that rocked his country, triggered by his sudden decision to impose a state of emergency.
Here are the key events from the state of emergency to the recall:
-Dec. 3: Just before 22:30 (1330 GMT), Yoon declares on national television that he is imposing a state of emergency to root out “anti-state forces” and break the political deadlock.
An hour later, the military issues a decree banning the activities of political parties and MPs, and troops and police descend on the opposition-controlled parliament. Staff use barricades and fire extinguishers to deter special operations soldiers who arrive in helicopters and smash windows as they enter parliament.
MPs jump fences to avoid security cordons and crowds of protesters gather.
-Dec. 4: In defiance of military orders, 190 MPs vote unanimously in the early hours to reject Yoon’s declaration and troops begin to leave.
About three and a half hours later, Yoon makes another televised speech, announcing that he is lifting martial law. The regulation was in effect for about six hours.
Opposition parties submitted a request for the impeachment of Ion.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said June had “poorly judged” his decision to declare a state of emergency, which was “deeply problematic” and “illegitimate”.
-Dec. 5: Yoon’s People Power Party, though divided, decides to oppose his impeachment.
Yoon accepts the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Police are investigating Yoon, Kim and the interior minister on charges of treason and related crimes over the declaration of a state of emergency after opposition parties and activists filed complaints.
-Dec. 6: PPP leader Han Dong-Hun says Jun must be removed from power for trying to impose martial law. Some party members are calling for Yoon to resign.
-Dec. 7: Jun addresses the nation to apologize, saying he will put his fate in the hands of the PPP, but not saying he will resign.
The vote to impeach Ion fails as the PPP boycotts, depriving parliament of a quorum.
-Dec. 8: Prosecutors list Ion as the subject of a criminal investigation for attempted martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim was arrested.
-Dec. 9: The Ministry of Justice has banned Yoon from leaving South Korea.
-Dec. 10: Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Special Warfare Command, tells a parliamentary committee that Yoon gave the order to “pull” lawmakers out of parliament after they declared martial law.
Yoon’s office says it has no “official position” on who leads the country amid questions about PPP discussions for a transitional government.
Former Defense Minister Kim attempted suicide.
-Dec. 11: The police try to search Yoon’s office, but are denied entry into the building.
-Dec. 12: Jun said in another televised speech that he would “fight to the end”, alleging that North Korea had hacked South Korea’s election commission and expressing doubts about his party’s landslide defeat in April’s election. The state election commission denies that claim.
Seven members of the PPP have declared their intention to support the impeachment, one short of the number needed to pass the proposal.
-Dec. 13: Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls on PPP members to “join and vote for impeachment.”
-Dec. 14: Parliament impeaches Ion with the support of 204 out of 300 deputies in the unicameral parliament. At least 12 PPP members vote for impeachment.
Jun’s presidential powers are suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duk-su becomes acting president.
The Constitutional Court received the parliament’s declaration of impeachment. He will have six months to decide whether to remove him or reinstate him.
