President Yoon of South Korea was initially appointed as Prosecutor General by a leftist government. President Yoon of South Korea was initially appointed as Prosecutor General by a leftist government, largely because he had gained immense popularity as a “prosecutor of the people” by investigating and bringing down corruption within a right-wing administration.

However, this time he began investigating corruption within the left-wing bloc, once again garnering national attention and widespread support as a prosecutor committed to justice. Betrayed by the left, he gained widespread popularity for his courage, competence, and integrity, eventually becoming a right-wing President.

Despite this, President Yoon faced consistent rejection from the entrenched right-wing political establishment, who refused to accept him as a leader and continuously undermined him. Amid this isolation, he was targeted by the opposition leader, who is currently under trial for numerous criminal allegations, including corruption. The opposition launched impeachment efforts against President Yoon.

During the impeachment crisis, his own ruling party failed to support him. This led President Yoon to develop a deep-seated disdain for politics, perceiving all politicians as greedy and corrupt. South Korea’s politics have grown increasingly entrenched, with the public harboring significant distrust toward the National Assembly.

Politically isolated, President Yoon began enacting policies that alienated his own base, such as weakening the privileges of medical professionals who had been among his strongest supporters. Becoming increasingly paranoid, he trusted only a close circle of advisors and failed to expand his political outreach.

His wife, who had been instrumental in his rise to power, became embroiled in controversy after inappropriate remarks made while seeking support from leftist figures. This led to media scrutiny and unfounded allegations branding her with derogatory terms.

The ruling party’s defeat in the general election further exacerbated President Yoon’s political isolation. The victorious opposition party adopted a reckless approach, impeaching all government ministers, disabling investigative agencies such as the National Intelligence Service, the prosecution, and the Board of Audit and Inspection, and slashing the presidential budget to zero. Faced with the threat of becoming a lame-duck leader, President Yoon attempted to reverse the political tide with the extreme measure of declaring martial law under the pretext of exposing electoral fraud.

However, his efforts failed as he could not secure control over the military, leading to the collapse of the martial law attempt within three hours. Instead of asserting authority, the military proved ineffectual, and opposition politicians capitalized on the situation. Civil groups that had opposed him since his inauguration rallied en masse, demanding his impeachment.

As a legal professional, President Yoon argued that martial law was a legitimate exercise of his constitutional authority. He appeared to draw parallels with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who avoided criminal charges despite inciting a violent Capitol riot, claiming it as an act of governance. Unlike Trump, however, President Yoon lacked a solid support base, was deeply unpopular, and was politically ostracized. Despite being Commander-in-Chief, he was portrayed as the instigator of a coup and is losing the battle in the court of public opinion.

In summary, the martial law attempt differs significantly from those imposed under past military regimes. President Yoon had no real political power, believed his actions were lawful, and aimed to expose corruption but failed due to military resistance.

Ultimately, his political incompetence and overreach led to a complete failure. Moreover, having targeted corrupt politicians across both left and right factions, he now faces likely political retribution.

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Structurally, the downfall of President Yoon’s administration can be attributed to the constitutional framework established by the “87 System” after the military dictatorship. This system, crafted by pro-democracy activists, weakened the presidential system while empowering the legislature. In such a structure, where charismatic leadership is difficult to establish, successive right-wing presidents have struggled against unfavorable public opinion and relentless media attacks. These attacks have eroded their support base, compounded by the right-wing camp’s lack of political acumen and weak media networks to counteract these narratives.

As a result, even if the current administration collapses, many citizens fear the rise of populist politics and the unchecked dominance of the left-wing opposition, which holds a supermajority in the legislature. There are concerns about authoritarian policies, as demonstrated during the leftist Moon Jae-in administration, including pro-North Korea stances, the adverse effects of anti-nuclear energy policies, extreme political polarization, witch hunts, and the intensification of Maoist-style Red Guard politics.