South Korean President Yoon’s transition from martial law to impeachment By Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters) – The impeachment and suspension of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday ended 11 days of political turmoil in his country, sparked by his surprise decision to impose martial law.

Here are the key events from the martial law to the impeachment:

-Dec. 3: Shortly before 10:30 pm (1330 GMT), Yoon announces on national television that he is imposing martial law to eliminate “anti-state forces” and win the political struggle.

An hour later the military issued a decree banning the work of political parties and lawmakers, and the military and police descended on the opposition-controlled parliament. Workers use barricades and fire extinguishers to repel special forces who arrive by helicopter and break windows as they enter parliament.

Lawmakers jumped over fences to avoid barricades and crowds of protesters.

-Dec. 4: In defiance of the military order, 190 lawmakers in the morning voted unanimously to reject Yoon’s declaration and the military began to leave.

About three and a half hours later, Yoon gives another speech on television, announcing that he is lifting martial law. This order worked for about six hours.

The opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach Yoon.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says Yoon “made a bad decision” in his decision to declare martial law, which was “very problematic” and “illegal.”

-Dec. 5: Yoon’s People Power Party, although divided, decides to oppose his prosecution.

Yoon accepts the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Police are investigating Yoon, Kim and the interior minister on suspicion of treason and charges related to the declaration of martial law after opposition groups and activists filed complaints.

-Dec. 6: PPP leader Han Dong-hoon says Yoon should be removed from office for trying to impose martial law. Some members of the group urged Yoon to resign.

-Dec. 7: Yoon speaks to the nation apologizing, saying that he will leave his fate in the hands of the PPP but not saying that he will resign.

A vote to impeach Yoon fails as the PPP boycotts, depriving parliament of a quorum.

-Dec. 8: Prosecutors named Yoon as the subject of a criminal investigation in connection with the military law effort. Former Defense Minister Kim has been arrested.

-Dec. 9: The justice department prevents Yoon from leaving South Korea.

-Dec. 10: Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells a parliamentary committee that Yoon issued an order to “remove” lawmakers from parliament after declaring martial law.

Yoon’s office says it has “no official proposal” on who will run the country amid questions about the PPP’s talks on the ruling government.

Former Defense Minister Kim is trying to kill himself.

-Dec. 11: The police tried to search Yoon’s office but were prevented from entering the building.

-Dec. 12: Yoon says in a televised address that he will “fight to the end”, accusing North Korea of ​​hacking South Korea’s election commission and expressing doubts about his party’s landslide election victory in April. The National Election Commission rejects that.

Seven members of the PPP announced their intention to support the trial, falling short of the number required to pass the motion.

-Dec. 13: Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls on PPP members to “join and vote yes to prosecution”.

-Dec. 14: Parliament impeaches Yoon with the support of 204 out of 300 lawmakers in the unicameral parliament. At least 12 PPP members voted to impeach him.

Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president.

The Constitutional Court receives the parliament’s declaration of impeachment. It will take six months to decide whether to fire him or reinstate him.