SEOUL (Reuters) – Saturday’s impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, which suspended him from official duties, capped 11 days of political crisis that has shaken his country, sparked by his surprise decision to impose the law martial.
These are the key events, from martial law to impeachment:
-Dec. 3: Shortly before 10:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. GMT), Yoon declares on national television that he is imposing martial law to eradicate “anti-state forces” and overcome political stalemate.
An hour later, the army issues a decree banning the activity of political parties and legislators, and troops and police descend on the opposition-controlled parliament. Staff use barricades and fire extinguishers to protect themselves from special operations soldiers who arrive by helicopter and break windows as they enter parliament.
Lawmakers jump over fences to avoid security cordons and crowds of protesters gather.
-Dec. 4: Defying the military’s order, 190 lawmakers vote unanimously in the early hours to reject Yoon’s statement and troops begin to withdraw.
About three and a half hours later, Yoon gives another televised speech, announcing that he will lift martial law. The decree was in effect for about six hours.
Opposition parties file motion to impeach Yoon.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says Yoon “grossly misjudged” his decision to declare martial law, which was “deeply problematic” and “illegitimate.”
-Dec. 5: Yoon’s People Power Party, although 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 over accusations of treason and crimes related to the declaration of martial law after opposition parties and activists filed complaints.
-Dec. 6: PPP leader Han Dong-hoon says Yoon should be removed from power for attempting to impose martial law. Some party members urge Yoon to resign.
-Dec. 7: Yoon 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 Yoon fails because the PPP boycotts, depriving parliament of a quorum.
-Dec. 8: Prosecutors name Yoon as the subject of a criminal investigation into attempted martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim is arrested.
-Dec. 9: The Ministry of Justice prohibits Yoon from leaving South Korea.
-Dec. 10: Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells a parliamentary committee that Yoon gave the order to “remove” lawmakers from parliament after declaring martial law.
Yoon’s office says he 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: The police try to search Yoon’s office but are prevented from entering the building.
-Dec. 12: Yoon says in another televised speech that he will “fight to the end,” alleging that North Korea had hacked South Korea’s election commission and expressing doubts about his party’s crushing election defeat in April. The National Electoral Commission denies the claim.
Seven members of the PPP declare their intention to support the impeachment, one less than the number necessary for the motion to be approved.
-Dec. 13: Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls on PPP members to “unite and vote yes to impeachment.”
-Dec. 14: Parliament removes Yoon with the support of 204 of the 300 legislators in the unicameral parliament. At least 12 members of the PPP vote in favor of impeachment.
Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president.
The Constitutional Court receives the impeachment declaration from parliament. You will have six months to decide whether to dismiss or reinstate him.