Timeline: Yoon's failed martial law attempt and impeachment saga

On Dec. 7, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared the motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol as invalid at the National Assembly in Seoul. A week later, the National Assembly votes to pass the motion, impeaching the president. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 not only stunned the nation but also sent shockwaves across the globe. If the Constitutional Court upholds the National Assembly's impeachment vote, Yoon will be removed from office. He is now the third impeached president in the country's history. Here's a timeline of events, from Yoon's failed martial law attempt to the subsequent impeachment saga.

Soldiers prepare to enter the main hall of the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 4, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Yonhap

Dec. 3

At 10:30 p.m., a public announcement of Yoon declaring martial law is broadcast across nearly every media outlet, plunging the nation into chaos for almost six hours. It was the first of its kind in 45 years.

Within 30 minutes, police officers guarding the National Assembly begin restricting access to the buildings, barring entry to politicians and journalists. In addition, armed soldiers and police take control of access points to the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and other related facilities.

At 11:25 p.m., Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su is appointed as the martial law commander — a position that oversees all administrative and judicial functions. Shortly afterward, the martial law decree is issued, which states a ban on all political activities and strict monitoring of the press and publications, among others.

At 11:48 p.m., soldiers arriving in trucks and helicopters attempt to force their way into the National Assembly. However, they are met with fierce resistance from citizens and aides of lawmakers who had managed to enter the building.

A truck carrying soldiers is surrounded by protesters and police in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 4, following the Assembly's passage of a motion to repeal the martial law. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Dec. 4

At 12:24 a.m., soldiers break into the Assembly's main building by smashing a window, entering the premises.

Aides of lawmakers and Assembly officials pile chairs and other furniture in the hallways and entrances to block the troops from advancing. Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declares the opening of a regular session. At 1:02 a.m., 190 lawmakers — some of whom had climbed over the Assembly’s fences — vote unanimously to repeal the law.

Over the course of the next hour, armed soldiers start retreating from both the Assembly and the election commission. Many citizens, believing the worst was over, go to bed. At 4:27 a.m., Yoon states that he will accept the parliamentary results and officially lifts martial law.

As the day begins, the fallout from the previous night's events unravels, revealing the full extent of the crisis. By 9:36 a.m., nearly all of Yoon's presidential aides express their intentions to resign. Hours later, at 2:43 p.m., six opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), file a motion to impeach Yoon. They accuse him of violating the Constitution and other laws.

Dec. 5

Despite growing public outrage over Yoon's martial law declaration, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) officially declares its opposition to an impeachment motion against Yoon. While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the party firmly rejects the impeachment drive initiated by the opposition.

Dec. 7

Rumors spread that Yoon is preparing for a second declaration of martial law, should the impeachment vote pass in the Assembly. However, in a brief public statement that morning, Yoon denies the claims, stating that he will not declare martial law again.

By 6 p.m., around 100,000 people gather in front of the National Assembly, calling for Yoon's ouster. Inside, the main session of the Assembly begins. Every member of the PPP, except for Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, boycott the impeachment vote by leaving the assembly hall. Although Rep. Kim Yea-ji and Rep. Kim Sang-wook return to vote later, the three votes were not enough to meet the quorum. As a result, Woo declares the impeachment motion invalid.

Citizens gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Dec. 7. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Dec. 8

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo hold a joint press conference to announce that Yoon will no longer be involved in state affairs. They state that the party and the Cabinet will work together to manage state affairs, with plans for Yoon’s "early and orderly" resignation — a course of action they describe as a better alternative to impeachment.

Opposition parties immediately reject the plan, accusing the two Hans of attempting to seize power through unconstitutional means. DPK leader Lee Jae-myung calls for Yoon’s immediate arrest and a full-scale investigation into his actions.

Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, widely regarded as the mastermind behind the martial law declaration, is arrested and taken into custody.

Dec. 9

Yoon is subject to an overseas travel ban on charges of treason and breach of trust due to his failed martial law declaration.

Dec. 10

Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, the former chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, tells lawmakers that Yoon called him on the night of the martial law declaration and ordered him to "drag lawmakers out of the National Assembly."

Voting takes place on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, Dec. 7. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Dec. 11

Investigators attempt to conduct a search-and-seizure at the presidential office. However, their entry is blocked by presidential security guards. After a seven-hour standoff, investigators withdraw from the presidential office after receiving a few documents that were submitted voluntarily by the office.

Dec. 12

In his fourth public address, Yoon defends his failed martial law declaration as a legitimate "act of governance." He dismisses the charges against him and accuses the DPK-dominated National Assembly of becoming "a monster that is destroying the constitutional order of free democracy."

Meanwhile, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a five-term lawmaker and one of Yoon’s closest allies, is elected as the PPP's new floor leader.

Dec. 13

Cho Ji-ho, commissioner-general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, are arrested. Both officials are suspected of instructing police officers to block access to the National Assembly on the night of the martial law declaration, under Yoon's orders.

Dec. 14

The National Assembly votes to impeach Yoon. All 300 lawmakers participate in the vote, with 204 supporting the motion. At least 200 votes were needed to pass the motion. As a result, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended and Prime Minister Han assumes interim leadership in accordance with Constitutional provisions. The Constitutional Court of Korea now has 180 days to review the impeachment motion.