Blunders

Two presidents met their downfall last week. Their political decline was of their own making.

- ALEX MAGNO

South Korea's parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for his clumsy attempt to put the country under martial rule last Dec. 3. While soldiers tried to occupy the parliament building, legislators managed to hold a midnight session to reject the martial law order. Yoon was forced to withdraw the order four hours after it was issued—the shortest martial rule episode in history.

The parliament is controlled by the opposition Democratic Party, although several members of Yoon's own party voted for impeachment. The proceedings will probably take a few more months at the Constitutional Court, but Yoon is forced to give up his presidential powers immediately. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo takes over as acting president.

A mammoth crowd assembled before the parliament building as the vote was being taken. People cheered wildly as the unpopular president was impeached.

Yoon's two years in office were turbulent ones. He was constantly besieged with scandals and undermined by his very low approval ratings.

Since taking office, Yoon faced political gridlock. He was unable to push forward legislation with the parliament dominated by the political opposition. Frustrated with the political deadlock, Yoon tried more forceful tactics, including police raids on several media outlets and the homes of journalists he accused of spreading "fake news."

Accusing the opposition of "anti-state" activities, he eventually declared martial rule to break the deadlock. The move backfired spectacularly, culminating in last week's impeachment vote.