South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is being faced by one of the biggest battles of his political career: his future will now have to be determined by a judge after some of his allies broke ranks and voted to impeach him on Saturday. The allegations against him include leading an insurrection. Although Yoon is known for his political resilience, he has become increasingly isolated, burdened by personal scandals, internal strife, and an unyielding opposition. After narrowly securing his victory in the 2022 election, his political battles have made him more bitter, bringing out a reckless side that former rivals claim defines him.
Yoon’s decision to impose a short-lived martial law on December 3 marked the low point of his presidency.
His appeal for understanding—arguing that he acted out of “burning patriotism” to protect the country from disaster and defy all odds—failed to secure the support of those previously unconvinced that he had committed an impeachable offense. His 29-minute speech instead raised concerns that his judgment had deteriorated to such an extent that he posed a threat not only to South Korea’s democracy but also to its standing as a global economic power. Political science professor Shin Yul from Myongji University stated that Yoon may have been influenced by the wrong people, such as right-wing extremists and YouTube personalities, and might still believe he did the right thing. An opposition member of the Democratic Party criticized the speech as a “display of extreme delusion.” Even those sympathetic to him remarked that he had buckled under immense political pressure, which included personal attacks.
Throughout the year, Yoon’s presidency has been overshadowed by a scandal involving his wife.
She was accused of accepting a costly Christian Dior handbag, an incident Yoon initially failed to fully address. After the scandal contributed to a significant defeat in the April parliamentary elections, Yoon apologized but rejected calls for further investigations into the allegations, including a case of stock price manipulation involving his wife and mother-in-law. Despite an investigation that cleared his wife of criminal charges, Yoon's domestic challenges have clouded the international successes of his presidency. His diplomacy, particularly in resolving a long-standing dispute with Japan and fostering trilateral security cooperation with the United States, is widely regarded as one of his key foreign policy achievements.
Yoon’s personal journey began in Seoul.
He was born into a wealthy family and excelled in school. His early career was marked by a struggle to pass the bar exam, which he eventually succeeded in on his ninth attempt. Yoon gained national prominence in 2016 for his role as the chief investigator in the corruption case against then-President Park Geun-hye. His investigation led to Park’s imprisonment, and he later rose to prominence as prosecutor general, overseeing high-profile corruption investigations. His ties to conservatives frustrated with the liberal policies of former President Moon Jae-in propelled him into the 2022 presidential race, where he faced a rocky start. Among the early controversies of his presidency was his decision to move the presidential office from the Blue House, an action fueled by his belief in feng shui, though he denied any influence from a shaman.
Yoon’s administration faced further backlash after the 2022 Halloween tragedy.
Here, 159 people were killed, and he refused to dismiss top officials, including his high school friends, who were seen as part of his inner circle. These included Lee Sang-min, the safety minister, and Kim Yong-hyun, the defense minister, both of whom had been involved in the controversial move of the presidential office. According to reports, Kim and Lee are some of those who demanded Yoon should declare martial law.
This marks a very sensitive period in the life of President Yoon
as the opposition to his governance keeps growing, further inwards fractures within himself and an impeachment threat altogether.
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