Seoul, South Korea: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been impeached by the National Assembly following his controversial attempt to impose martial law, a move that has plunged the country into political turmoil.
The assembly voted 204 to 85 in favor of impeachment, with three members abstaining and eight votes declared invalid. This marks the second impeachment vote in just eight days.
Outside the assembly, thousands of protesters erupted in applause, while the mood inside was somber.
With the impeachment, Yoon has been suspended from office, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is temporarily assuming the presidency.
The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to review the case and decide Yoon’s fate. If the court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will become the second South Korean president to be successfully removed from office, following the impeachment of Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Yoon’s martial law declaration, which was swiftly reversed, caused widespread unrest and prompted investigations into his administration.
Despite the scandal, Yoon remains unapologetic and has vowed to fight the decision in court. His approval rating, which was already low, has dropped to just 11%, with polls showing that 75% of the public supports his impeachment.
Ahead of the vote, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) initially boycotted the first impeachment motion, but some members later joined the opposition in voting to remove Yoon.
Meanwhile, large rallies took place in Seoul, with an estimated 200,000 people protesting for and against the president.
The political uncertainty surrounding Yoon’s presidency is expected to continue, as South Korea faces a protracted legal and political battle.
Opponents, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, argue that Yoon’s actions threatened the constitution and democracy, while Yoon’s supporters claim the impeachment is politically motivated.
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