• Yoon’s failed martial law attempt in South Korea backfired, leading to his impeachment as President.
• Mass protests, growing popularity of the opposition, and international condemnation tanked Yoon’s approval ratings.
• The parliament first impeached Yoon in December 2024, and the decision was upheld by the Korean Constitutional Court in April 2025, effectively removing him from power.

Why is Yoon FREEZING?

Answer: Yoon is freezing due to the failed martial law decree, following the impeachment, and loss of power as a leader.

The South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, failed in his attempt to impose martial law on December 3, 2024. The martial law was overruled by the Parliament only six hours after its enactment. 

His actions have been widely condemned by a variety of stakeholders, from the citizens to the judiciary to the leader of his own political party. Who described Yoon’s decision as undemocratic and unconstitutional. As a result, parliament voted to impeach him on December 14th, after an unsuccessful attempt the previous week. According to South Korea’s constitution, the Constitutional Court must uphold the parliamentary decision for the President to be officially removed from office.

Additionally, there is an ongoing criminal trial and investigation by the national Constitutional Court into the charge against him concerning the abuse of power and insurrection charges. Yoon decided not to cooperate with the investigators and bodies pursuing legal proceedings. He barricaded himself in his fortified residence from where he was captured and arrested after having refused several peaceful invitations to cooperate. Not only has Yoon lost all his political influence following the impeachment, but is also facing life-long imprisonment and even the death penalty.

What is changing Yoon’s heat level?

Answer: Yoon’s heat level was changed by the impeachment process, domestic and international response, and criminal investigations.

Having already been impeached, the President is still facing the ongoing criminal investigation. He already had all of his powers removed as President, The next presidential elections will be held on June 3rd, 2025.

The tensions divided citizens, as well as international stakeholders, such as the nation’s allies. For instance, one of the state’s most important allies – the United States of America – expressed concerns over the democratic crisis in South Korea, as well as the European Union. These allies are of fundamental importance to South Korea’s security framework in its struggle against North Korea. Losing the support of these allies would mark a detrimental blow to South Korea’s security. Therefore, their criticism of Yoon’s actions is an important factor in his heat level.

What is driving Yoon Suk Yeol?

Answer: Yoon’s implementation of martial law was driven by ideological justifications, aims for power consolidation and further survival, and protection of the state from argued security concerns.

The main justification that Yoon used to explain the attempt to implement martial law was the protection of the state and the Korean people from security concerns. He raised a point about emerging ‘anti-state forces’  and argued that opposition lawmakers are ‘paralysing state affairs’, which are ‘a threat to democracy’. He argued that the opposition has led to ‘legislative blockade’ and ‘legislative dictatorship’ in the National Assembly. This political stagnation was the main driving factor for Yoon to forcefully take over the legislative body and the physical assembly. 

Furthermore, the President was stating that martial law was necessary to safeguard the state from threats from North Korea by the use of military forces. Here, Yoon used the threat from the North to justify his own actions. Because he felt his political survival was at stake. Fearing a political downfall of himself and/or his party, the People Power Party (PPP),  alongside failure to push for his agenda. Leading to him wanting to forcibly bypass the legislative bodies implementing laws to his favour. Thus, pushing his ideological agenda forward, seemingly gaining political relevance and power.

What does this mean for you?

Answer: Yoon’s failed martial law attempt points towards a crisis that raises broader concerns about democracy, political systems, and the rule of law.

Yoon’s failed martial law attempt was not about protecting South Korea but about consolidating his own power. It showed a threat to the liberal democracy as we know it. It exemplified that even well-established democracies, like South Korea, are not immune to internal threats. It raises questions about the possibility of similar events happening in other Western countries, such as in the cases of Member States of the European Union.

Moreover, this situation shows the dangers of political tribalism. Loyalty to a political group should not justify undermining democratic institutions. No matter the party, anti-democratic actions must be treated equally. This also suggests that there are double standards in the political scene where people from one’s party oftentimes get special treatment when committing a mistake, whilst the members of an opposite party are under particular scrutiny – selective application of democratic principles weakens the system. Upholding the democratic rule of law should be consistent, regardless of political alignment.

One last takeaway should concern the judicial system. When Supreme Court judges are chosen based on political affiliation, the integrity of the legal system is at risk.