South Korea Awaits Verdict on President Yoon's Impeachment After Martial Law Crisis

President Yoon Suk Yeol defends his brief martial law declaration as necessary, while critics accuse him of undermining democracy and seeking authoritarian control.

• President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, suspending civilian rule for six hours before parliament overturned the decree and impeached him.
• Yoon faces impeachment proceedings at South Korea's Constitutional Court, with a verdict expected by mid-March that could remove him from office permanently.
• Parliamentary lawyers argue Yoon's actions violated the constitution and posed a threat to democracy, comparing him to past authoritarian leaders.
• Yoon defends his decision as a response to what he described as a 'national crisis' caused by opposition obstruction, but denies intending to impose full military rule.
• If impeachment is upheld, South Korea will hold a presidential election within 60 days, and Yoon also faces separate criminal charges of insurrection, which carry severe penalties.

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