Yoon Suk Yeol, representing the conservative People Power Party, assumed office as the President of South Korea in 2022 after winning a closely contested election against his rival by a margin of less than one percentage point. Prior to his political career, Yoon spent 27 years as a prosecutor.
Since taking office, Yoon has been confronted with a myriad of challenges, including the persistent threat posed by North Korea, escalating tensions between South Korea's key allies, the US and China, and a decline in the country's birth rates.
Yoon has adopted a firm stance on North Korea, diverging from the dialogue-focused approach of his predecessor, President Moon Jae-in. He has emphasized strengthening South Korea's military capabilities and has even hinted at the possibility of a preemptive strike in response to any perceived offensive actions from North Korea.
In a recent move, Yoon declared martial law, accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities. This decision has sparked further political discord within the country.
Despite his initial popularity, Yoon's approval ratings have plummeted following a series of scandals and controversies during his tenure. This has led to widespread calls for his impeachment, with hundreds of thousands of citizens expressing their discontent.
Yoon's presidency continues to be marked by internal political strife and external security challenges, underscoring the complexities of governing a nation in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
