SEOUL (Reuters) – The impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, suspending him from his official duties, capped an 11-day political crisis that rocked his country and was sparked by his surprise decision to impose martial law.
Here are the key events from martial law to impeachment:
-Dec. 3: Shortly before 10:30 p.m. (13:30 GMT), Yoon declares on national television that he is declaring martial law to eradicate “anti-state forces” and break the political deadlock.
An hour later, the military issues a decree banning the activities of political parties and lawmakers, and troops and police enter the opposition-controlled parliament. Staff use barricades and fire extinguishers to fend off special forces arriving in helicopters and breaking windows as they enter parliament.
Lawmakers hop fences to avoid security barriers and crowds of protesters gather.
-Dec. 4: Despite the military’s order, 190 MPs vote unanimously to reject Yoon’s statement in the early hours of the morning and the troops begin to withdraw.
About three and a half hours later, Yoon gives another televised speech announcing the lifting of martial law. The decree was in effect for about six hours.
Opposition parties submit motion for Yoon’s removal from office.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Yoon “severely misjudged” his decision to declare martial law, which was “deeply problematic” and “illegitimate.”
-Dec. 5: Despite being divided, Yoon’s People Power Party decides to oppose his impeachment.
Yoon accepts Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation. Police are investigating Yoon, Kim and the interior minister on charges of treason and related crimes related to the declaration of martial law after complaints from opposition parties and activists.
-Dec. 6: PPP leader Han Dong-hoon says Yoon must be removed from power for trying to impose martial law. Some party members are calling for Yoon to resign.
-Dec. 7: Yoon addresses the nation to apologize. He says he will put his fate in the hands of the PPP but does not say he will resign.
A vote to impeach Yoon failed because the PPP boycotted and parliament lacked a quorum.
-Dec. 8: Prosecutors name Yoon as the subject of a criminal investigation into attempting to declare martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim is arrested.
-Dec. 9: The Justice Department denies Yoon permission to leave South Korea.
-Dec. 10: Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells a parliamentary committee that Yoon gave the order to “pull out” lawmakers from Parliament after martial law was declared.
Yoon’s office says it has “no official position” on who runs the country amid questions over PPP discussions for an interim government.
Former Defense Minister Kim attempts suicide.
-Dec. 11: Police attempt to search Yoon’s office but are prevented from entering the building.
-Dec. 12: Yoon says in another televised speech that he will “fight until the end.” He claims North Korea hacked South Korea’s election commission and raises doubts about his party’s landslide election defeat in April. The National Election Commission rejects the claim.
Seven PPP members declare their intention to support impeachment, one fewer than required for the motion to pass.
-Dec. 13: Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls on PPP members to “join and vote for impeachment.”
-Dec. 14: Parliament impeaches Yoon with the support of 204 of the 300 representatives in the unicameral parliament. At least 12 PPP members vote for impeachment.
Yoon’s powers as president are suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president.
The Constitutional Court receives Parliament’s declaration of impeachment. It will have six months to decide whether to remove him or reinstate him.
