South Korea’s democracy has faced yet another stern test with the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, a polarising figure whose ill-conceived martial law decree plunged the nation into a constitutional crisis. The impeachment motion, carried by an overwhelming 204 votes in the 300-member National Assembly, reflects both the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions and the heavy political costs of authoritarian overreach. Mr Yoon’s decision to declare martial law on December 3, ostensibly to “root out anti-state forces” and bypass opposition obstruction, shocked the nation.

The decree granted sweeping emergency powers to the military, a chilling echo of South Korea’s authoritarian past. Though it was rescinded within six hours, the damage was done. Parliamentarians defied Mr Yoon’s forces to annul the decree, protesters flooded the streets, and calls for his resignation grew louder. The public and institutional backlash culminated in a........

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