Against Power: From the 'Strong-Willed Prosecutor' to the Impeached President

President Yoon Suk-yeol has been recorded as the second president to be impeached in the history of constitutional governance.

Once renowned as a 'strong-willed prosecutor who wouldn't bat an eye in the face of power,' this individual has faced a dramatic conclusion with his removal from the presidency.

Graduating from Seoul National University Law School, he was appointed as a late-blooming prosecutor after enduring nine unsuccessful attempts. Since his time as a prosecutor, he has consistently confronted the existing powers head-on.

During the Kim Dae-jung government, he arrested the influential Park Hee-won, head of the police intelligence department. Under the Roh Moo-hyun government, he brought to court Ahn Hee-jung, a close aide to the president, and even indicted the president’s daughter, Noh Jeong-yeon, showcasing his presence.

In the Lee Myung-bak government, he targeted the former lawmaker Lee Sang-deuk, the president's elder brother, and during the Park Geun-hye government, he exposed the National Intelligence Service's manipulation of comments, setting his sights on the center of power.

A Politician Shaped by the Statement "I Do Not Serve People"

Notably, during the Park Geun-hye administration's National Assembly audit, his statement, "I do not serve people" deeply etched his image in the minds of the public as someone unshaken by power.

"I do not serve people"

This statement led to his demotion to a provincial high prosecution office, but he made a spectacular comeback as the head of the special prosecutor team investigating the 'Park Geun-hye-Choi Soon-sil scandal' in 2016.

Ironically, it was the Moon Jae-in administration that gave a decisive boost to former President Yoon.

President Moon rapidly promoted him to the positions of head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and Attorney General, placing him at the forefront of the 'cleansing of evil.' During this period, Yoon became a key player in the collapse of the conservative camp by imprisoning former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.

However, the cozy relations with the Moon Jae-in government did not last long.

Conflict with the administration began in earnest around the time of the 'Cho Kuk incident,' and investigations targeting the living power, such as suspicions of election interference in the Ulsan mayoral election and manipulation of the economic feasibility of the Wolsong nuclear power plant, led to a direct confrontation with then-Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.

A Dramatic Journey from Prosecutor to President and then to Impeachment

Minister Choo replaced many members of Yoon's faction through judicial appointments and effectively rendered him a 'vegetative attorney general' by obstructing direct investigations.

Ultimately, the unprecedented order for the suspension of the attorney general's duties was issued, escalating the conflict to its peak. The attorney general, who had taken office with the full support of the Moon Jae-in administration, became the maximum political adversary of the government in less than two years.

In response, Yoon declared, "The attorney general is not an underling of the minister," choosing to take a stand against the administration.

"The attorney general is not an underling of the minister"

His resolute stance became a focal point for the conservative camp, and within just eight months of entering politics, he made history by being elected president under the banner of 'fairness and common sense.'

However, governing the nation was not easy for the 'strong-willed prosecutor' who had no political experience.

His prosecutorial approach, which adhered strictly to 'law and principles' instead of the flexibility and compromise required in politics, led to endless clashes and divisions in a situation of divided governance.

The conflict between former President Yoon and the Democratic Party escalated to extremes. As the Democratic Party submitted 22 impeachment motions and 27 special prosecutor bills, Yoon countered with 25 vetoes.

In a dramatic turn, he resorted to a state of emergency for the first time in 45 years, but this became an irreversible blunder.

In a public address on December 3 last year, former President Yoon appealed, "We will protect the free Republic of Korea that is falling into ruin through the state of emergency," but that decision marked the beginning of his downfall.

After being suspended from duties due to impeachment, former President Yoon attended the Constitutional Court, arguing that the imposition of martial law was a legitimate response to the opposition's excesses. However, he ultimately was removed from office through impeachment.

Image sources: Yoon Suk-yeol during his university days / instagram 'sukyeol.yoon', Head of the special prosecutor team during the Park Geun-hye administration's Choi Soon-sil private national scandal investigation / News1, Former President Yoon Suk-yeol during his tenure as Attorney General with Han Dong-hoon, then head of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office's Anti-Corruption and Violent Crimes Division / News1, Citizens sent wreaths to support then Attorney General Yoon Suk-yeol in 2020 / News1, Former President Yoon Suk-yeol / News1