Martial law

Thousands of South Koreans braved a snowstorm on Sunday to rally in support or opposition of President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspended over a failed martial law bid and resisting arrest a day before the warrant expires.

South Korean lawmakers impeached the acting president on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.

South Korea's constitutional court kicked off proceedings on Monday over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been suspended from office over his failed bid to impose martial law.

Yoon was removed by South Korea's parliament on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to suspend civilian rule, which plunged the country into its worst political turmoil in years.

South Korean police conducted a raid on President Yoon Suk Yeol's office in Seoul on Wednesday as part of an escalating investigation into his controversial martial law declaration. The raid followed intense political upheaval after Yoon's attempt to impose martial law on December 3, which was quickly reversed by parliament.

South Korean police raided the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday as a probe widens into his failed attempt to impose martial law.

"Raids were also being conducted at the offices of the Seoul Metropolitan Police and the National Assembly Police Guards," the police said in a statement.

A handout photo made available by the South Korean Presidential Office shows President Yoon Suk Yeol bowing during his address to the nation at the Presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Dec.7, 2024.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun apologized today and offered his resignation following President Yoon Seok-yol’s attempt to impose martial law.

“I deeply regret and take full responsibility for the confusion and concern caused to the public by the declaration of martial law,” Kim stated in an announcement, adding, “I have offered my resignation to the president.”

South Korea's political crisis deepened on Wednesday as opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, just hours after his abrupt declaration and subsequent reversal of martial law.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced early Wednesday that he would lift the martial law imposed during a dramatic series of events the night, following a parliamentary vote that rejected the declaration.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday evening, a move that the opposition rejected as "unconstitutional."

In the startling move, Yoon said in an unannounced late-night television address that the step was necessary to "protect the country from North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements."