South Korea braces for hit to tourism amid ongoing political turmoil

POLITICAL TURMOIL

Yoon was impeached on Saturday and removed from office over his bid to suspend civilian rule, which saw troops attempting to seal off South Korea’s National Assembly.

While Yoon’s move to impose military rule lasted only six hours, his declaration shocked the nation and plunged it into its worst political turmoil in years.

South Korea’s constitutional court kicked off proceedings on Monday (Dec 16) over Yoon’s impeachment.

He and a number of senior officials face criminal investigation for potential charges of insurrection, abuse of authority, and obstructing people from exercising their rights. 

Protests that have erupted on the streets since the martial law declaration are likely to continue, said Assistant Professor Myunghee Lee from James Madison College at Michigan State University.

“The protesters are celebrating their victory in impeaching Yoon in the National Assembly, so that mood does not easily fade out,” Asst Prof Lee, whose regional focus is particularly the Korean Peninsula and China, told CNA’s Asia First on Sunday. 

“It is highly likely that they will keep up on the street, fighting (to push) the Constitutional Court to make a decision earlier rather than later.”