In a historic and dramatic move, South Korea’s Parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law last week. The impeachment motion passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, and three abstentions, triggering a political crisis in the nation.
The motion accused President Yoon of insurrection, citing his failed attempt to deploy martial law on December 3. Lawmakers allege that Yoon staged riots and threatened the National Assembly and the public in a bid to maintain his grip on power. His actions have sparked widespread protests and public outrage, with critics describing his behavior as a direct challenge to democracy.
With the impeachment motion successful, Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of interim president. The Constitutional Court will now review the impeachment and is expected to make a ruling within 180 days. Should the court uphold the impeachment, Yoon would become only the second South Korean president in history to be successfully removed from office, triggering a snap election within 60 days.
The vote follows a period of political turmoil in South Korea, marked by record-low approval ratings for Yoon, which have plummeted to just 11%. Public protests demanding his resignation have been widespread, particularly in Seoul, where thousands have taken to the streets. The government has deployed over 1,000 security personnel to manage the ongoing unrest.
The failed martial law attempt, which Yoon claimed was necessary to eliminate political support for North Korea, was met with fierce criticism from opposition parties and experts, who accused the president of undermining the nation’s democratic institutions. Critics also argued that his actions posed a significant risk to national security, making the political situation even more precarious.
As South Korea braces for further uncertainty, all eyes will now be on the Constitutional Court’s decision, which will determine whether Yoon will remain in office or face the ultimate political consequence of impeachment.