Yoon Suk Yeol promised that as South Korea’s president, he would “rebuild this great nation” into one “that truly belongs to the people” when he delivered his inaugural speech in May 2022.
Instead, his presidency has been marked by growing unpopularity and political dysfunction, culminating Tuesday in his declaration of a national state of emergency for the first time in more than four decades.
Yoon has faced serious challenges since the start of his term, coming to power with low approval ratings and a parliament dominated by the opposition.
The 63-year-old former prosecutor, who played leading roles in the successful prosecutions of former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, had never held a political role before announcing his 2021 presidential bid.
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