Murder, jail and impeachment, the history of Korea’s presidents has been full of difficulties.

Troubled History of South Korean Presidents: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday announced the lifting of martial law in the country just six hours after imposing it. But this has put his throne in danger. After huge public protest, the opposition has presented an impeachment motion against him. Once the impeachment case is over, the way for him to lose power will be cleared. It is surprising that behind this decision, Yoon Suk Yeol had termed the opposition as an anti-incumbency force and a threat to democracy. However, his declaration of martial law united not only the opposition but all the MPs of the country, who came together in the Parliament and showed solidarity against the President’s decision.

Opposition parties are demanding a vote in Parliament on Saturday, which could lead to the impeachment of the South Korean President. Parliament will vote by Saturday on whether President Yoon Suk Yeol should be impeached or not. Democratic Party Central Committee member Kim Yong-jin said, “We can no longer let democracy collapse. People’s life and safety must be protected. “We want to accuse Yun of being a traitor.”

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Such occasions have come before also
Opposition parties are calling this decision of Yoon Suk Yeol ‘unconstitutional, rebellion or a coup’. It is difficult to predict how this fundamentalist leader will face this situation. His resignation seems to be the only possible solution to prevent his removal from the post. Due to which he can become the second President to be removed from office since the democratic transition of South Korea. But this is not the first time that Korea has seen such a condition of a leader.

Let’s take a look at the shocking falls of former leaders of Asia’s fourth largest economy…

Park Geun-hye: impeachment and prison
South Korea’s first female president was impeached by parliament in December 2016 and later jailed. Park, the daughter of former dictator Pak Chung-hee, had been in office since 2013 and had presented herself as a corruption-free leader. However, he was accused of demanding millions of dollars in bribes from several companies, including electronics giant Samsung. There were also allegations against him that he shared confidential documents, ‘blacklisted’ artists who criticized his policies and threatened officials who were against him. Dismissed.

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In March 2017, the Supreme Court i.e. the Constitutional Court confirmed his impeachment. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2021 and imposed a heavy fine. But at the end of the same year, his successor, President Moon Jae-in, pardoned him. Current President Yoon was a lawyer in Seoul at the time and played a key role in Park’s dismissal and jailing.

Lee Myung-bak: 15 years in prison
Park’s predecessor, Lee, was in power from 2008 to 2013. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison on corruption charges in October 2018. He was found guilty of taking illegal money of about $10 million from Samsung. In return for this bribe, he helped save Samsung’s then president Lee Kun-hee from tax evasion charges. However, his jail sentence was reduced. He received amnesty from President Yoon in December 2022.

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Roh Moo-hyun: suicide
Roh was president from 2003 to 2008 and was considered a strong supporter of rapprochement with North Korea. Roh committed suicide by jumping off a cliff in 2009. According to reports, he was accused of accepting a bribe of six million dollars from a wealthy shoe manufacturer, which was given to his wife and the husband of one of his nieces.

Chun Doo-hwan: Retires after public protest
Military leader Chun Doo-hwan resigned in 1987 in response to widespread protests. He was called the ‘Butcher of Gwangju’ for suppressing a rebellion against him in the southern city. He handed over power to Roh Tae-woo, whom he had known for decades. Roh Tae-woo was his classmate at the military academy during the Korean War. But violence and corruption tarnished his legacy. Chun was initially sentenced to death for the Gwangju Uprising and other crimes in 1980, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Roh, on the other hand, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison, which was later reduced to 17 years. Despite this, both were pardoned in 1998 after spending only two years in jail.

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Park Chung-hee: murder
South Korean dictator, Park Chung-hee, was assassinated during a private dinner by his own spy chief on October 26, 1979. Many people question whether the murder was premeditated. Following his death, army generals Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo planned a coup in December 1979, plunging the country into further political turmoil. These incidents have long been a topic of debate in South Korea.

Yun Po-sun: coup
In 1961, President Yun Po-sun was deposed in a military coup organized by army officer Park Chung-hee. Although Yun was initially allowed to remain in office, Park effectively took control of the government. Park later strengthened his position by winning the 1963 elections and ultimately replaced Yun as President.

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Syngman Rhee: Resignation
The first President of South Korea, Syngman Rhee, was elected in 1948. However, a large-scale student revolt in 1960 forced him to step down. An attempt to use rigged elections to extend his term sparked protests. After his resignation, Rea was exiled to the Hawaiian Islands, where he died in 1965.

Tag: international news, south korea, world News