South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday over his brief attempt to impose martial law this week, but the leader of his own party said the president would eventually resign.
In a vote held on the evening of December 7, the National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic of Korea failed to pass a resolution to impeach the country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol. The motion failed to garner the two-thirds vote needed to approve the initiative.
The impeachment required 200 out of 300 consents. 108 lawmakers out of the total number are members of the ruling party, while the rest are from the opposition. Of President Yoon’s party, only three voted in favour of impeachment, falling short of the five votes needed to bring it to the floor. Earlier on Saturday, Yoon apologised to the nation for his decision to impose martial law and said he was prepared to face any possible consequences.
The opposition has promised to seek the president’s resignation by the end of the year, with people in Seoul turning out for protests. Korean media reported about a million citizens joined the rally. At the same time, in the centre of the South Korean capital is also a demonstration in support of the President, which is attended by 20 thousand people.
Martial law and impeachment
Earlier, Yoon introduced and cancelled martial law in the country amid an internal political crisis. After that, representatives of opposition parties accused the president of attempting a violent seizure of power and abuse of power.
South Korean police have launched an investigation into Yoon on suspicion of treason. This is the only offence not covered by presidential immunity. It carries a penalty of up to the death penalty.
Analysts speculate that the declaration of martial law is related to Yoon’s political struggles. He has had little success in getting his policies passed by parliament, which has been controlled by the opposition since he came to power in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition’s action is political revenge for investigations into Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who is considered the favourite to win the next presidential election in 2027.
