President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea is facing proceedings that could remove him from office after his imposition of martial law plunged the country into a political crisis. Members of South Korea’s opposition submitted a motion on Wednesday to impeach Mr. Yoon. Here’s how the process could unfold.

Only two previous presidents have faced impeachment proceedings in South Korea since the end of military rule in the 1980s.

A former leader of Mr. Yoon’s party, Park Geun-hye, was impeached and removed from office in 2017 on charges related to a sprawling corruption scandal. And in 2004, Roh Moo-hyun was impeached on charges of illegal campaigning, but the Constitutional Court later overturned that decision and reinstated him as president.

Excavations near Hedensted, Denmark, during the expansion of a freeway revealed several “well-preserved” ancient artifacts from the Iron Age that seemed to have been buried intentionally thousands of years ago. 

During excavations at Løsning Søndermark conducted by archaeologists with Vejle Museums, numerous items were uncovered. 

Archaeologists suggest the discovered weaponry was buried by a chieftain as an offering to a higher power, according to a press release from the museum released Nov. 22. 

FLORIDA PROFESSOR FINDS EVIDENCE THAT ANCIENT EGYPTIANS DRANK HALLUCINOGENIC COCKTAILS

The weaponry dates back to the Iron Age, according to the press release. The large number of artifacts found would have been enough to equip a small army. 

“From the very first surveys, we knew this was going to be extraordinary, but the excavation has exceeded all our expectations. The sheer number of weapons is astonishing, but what fascinates me most is the glimpse they provide into the societal structure and daily life of the Iron Age. We suddenly feel very close to the people who lived here 1,500 years ago,” Elias Witte Thomasen, archaeologist and excavation leader from Vejle Musuems said of the find. 

Among the artifacts found at the site were 119 lances and spears, eight swords, five knives, three arrowheads, one axe, a bridle, fragments of a bugle, fragments of at least two oath rings and several bronze and iron objects that have not been identified yet, according to the press release. 

One hundred and nineteen lances and spears were among the artifacts discovered at the site.  (Vejle Museums )

9-YEAR-OLD BOY FINDS 60,000-YEAR-OLD AXE AT SHOREHAM BEACH IN ENGLAND

Another significant item discovered at the site was a “very rare” chain mail.

The type of armor was worn by knights and military men, created by sewing iron rings to fabric or leather, according to Britannica. 

This type of armor took great effort and access to special resources to create, making it a costly piece reserved for those of elite status. 

The ancient artifacts were unearthed during excavations of Løsning Søndermark in Denmark.  (Vejle Museums )

MOM, SON DIG UP ANCIENT OBJECT OFTEN FOUND NEAR BURIAL GROUNDS WHILE GARDENING

Additionally, there were fragments of two bronze neck rings at the site. 

The rare, valuable objects uncovered from the site point to the power and influence the chieftain had. 

Analysis of the items uncovered from the excavation continues, according to the press release. 

Fragments of at least two oath rings were discovered by archaeologists at the site.  (Vejle Museums )

Some of the artifacts may be put on display in early 2025 at Vejle Cultural Museum. 

The European Commission has categorically denied knowing anything related to the money-laundering scheme that Didier Reynders has allegedly operated for years, including during his five-year mandate as Commissioner for Justice.

The Commission also expressed its openness to cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

The presumed scheme involved purchases of lottery tickets and cash of unknown origin, according to revelations made by Follow The Money and Le Soir on Tuesday evening. Belgian police have already questioned Reydners and raided several of his properties.

The 66-year-old politician has not yet publicly replied to the accusations. It’s unclear how much money could have been potentially laundered.

On Wednesday, the Commission faced multiple questions about the suspected activities of Reydners, who left office over the weekend as the new College stepped in.

“We have, of course, seen the media reports about a case involving former Commissioner and former minister, Didier Reynders. We do not have any further information on this matter,” a Commission spokesperson said.

“If the Belgian authorities were to contact us, we are going to collaborate with them.”

Belgian police have not reached out to the Commission to obtain information or conduct searches, the spokesperson said. The criminal probe is said to cover Reynders’s mandate as Commissioner and his previous position in domestic politics.

According to the information by Follow The Money and Le Soir, Belgian authorities waited until Reydners left office on Sunday to go ahead with the raids. Before then, the Commissioner had been protected by immunity, similar to members of the parliament.

The immunity continues to apply once they depart the executive but only for acts performed “in their official capacity” as Commissioners, the spokesperson clarified.

The revelations involving Reydners sent shockwaves through Brussels as they coincide with the start of Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate. Among her priorities, the Commission president has vowed to reinforce compliance with the rule of law to protect fundamental rights and the integrity of the EU budget.

“Strengthening the rule of law will be our daily work and duty,” von der Leyen said in her political guidelines.

The fact that Reynders, whose portfolio included the rule of law, is now the target of a criminal investigation has not gone unnoticed by his critics in Poland and Hungary, against whom Reynders and his team launched legal proceedings and froze EU funds.

“Mr Rule of Law from Brussels is currently unavailable to lecture Poland on how the justice system should function,” said Mateusz Morawiecki, the former prime minister of Poland, who introduced a highly controversial judicial reform during his tenure.

Kinga Gál, a leading MEP from Fidesz, Viktor Orbán’s party, also took a swipe, saying the criminal inquiry into Reynders was “the latest chapters of Brussels’ hypocrisy”.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Instead of attacking Member States on ideological grounds, Brussels should first get its own house in order,” Gál wrote on social media.

Asked if the probe could diminish the credibility of the Commission in matters related to the rule of law and fundamental rights, a spokesperson refused to comment.

“We will absolutely not prejudge any outcome of the investigation,” the spokesperson said. “We have no further information and therefore we’ll have no comments whatsoever on what would be, at this stage, really premature.”