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South Korea’s political system is facing a significant upheaval following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial decision to impose martial law, which lasted only six hours after a strong pushback from the parliament. The ruling party’s refusal to impeach Yoon has led the opposition to accuse them of staging a "second coup" to maintain power and sideline the constitution. The declaration of martial law marked a turning point in South Korea’s political landscape. Yoon’s attempt to dissolve civilian rule was met with intense opposition from lawmakers who clashed physically with soldiers in the parliament building, ultimately voting to revoke the decree. This marked a major embarrassment for Yoon, forcing him to reverse his actions almost immediately. The president and several senior officials are now facing investigation for what critics have labeled an insurrection. Despite this, the ruling party blocked attempts to impeach Yoon, arguing that the president had effectively delegated his powers to the prime minister and the head of the ruling party, who are not elected to such positions of authority. An Unconstitutional Power Grab Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, condemned the ruling party for its refusal to act against Yoon, accusing them of undermining the constitution and attempting a coup-like power grab. He stated that the claim of transferring power to unelected officials was a direct violation of South Korea’s constitutional framework. Under the South Korean constitution, the president is the sole head of government and military commander unless incapacitated. In cases where the president is unable to fulfill their duties, the constitution provides for the temporary transfer of power to the prime minister until a new election is held. However, the ruling party’s justification for Yoon’s delegation of powers to party officials has been denounced as unconstitutional by the opposition. As the situation escalates, authorities have detained several top officials, including the former defense minister, and have launched investigations into the events surrounding the martial law declaration. The general in charge of overseeing martial law is also under investigation, and police have indicated that Yoon may soon be called for questioning. Legal Experts Weigh In Legal experts have voiced concerns over the constitutional implications of Yoon’s actions. Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law expert, has called the ruling party’s actions an unconstitutional "soft coup," pointing out that the president’s power cannot be transferred to party leaders without violating South Korea’s legal norms. Kim argues that the constitution provides clear pathways for removing a president from office, including impeachment, and that any attempt to bypass this process represents a serious threat to South Korea’s democratic principles. The opposition remains committed to holding Yoon accountable, with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, announcing plans to bring the issue of impeachment back to the National Assembly. Protests against Yoon’s leadership have been growing, and large crowds are expected to gather outside the parliament in the coming days. Yoon’s approval ratings have reached an all-time low, with recent polls showing only 11 percent support. This political crisis has left the nation grappling with the future of its leadership and democratic processes, as many question the stability of South Korea’s government.