South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been impeached following his controversial decision to impose martial law briefly. Twelve lawmakers from his ruling People Power Party (PPP) joined the opposition to pass the motion in the National Assembly on Saturday.
The vote succeeded with 204 lawmakers supporting the motion, 85 opposing it, three abstaining, and eight votes declared invalid. This marked the second impeachment attempt against Yoon in one week. The earlier vote failed when most PPP members boycotted it. This time, enough party members defected to reach the two-thirds majority required in the 300-member parliament.
Defections trigger successful impeachment vote
The Democratic Party-led opposition, holding 192 seats, gained critical support from several PPP lawmakers after Yoon’s public defence of his martial law decree on 3 December. In a defiant speech on Thursday, he vowed to “fight to the end,” which caused further unrest. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and others distanced themselves from him following his address.
Shortly after Yoon declared martial law, the National Assembly overturned the decree in an emergency early morning vote. Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, accused Yoon of destabilising the country.
“Yoon Suk Yeol instigated this crisis,” Park stated during the impeachment proceedings. “We must suspend his duties now to safeguard governance. His actions have shaken South Korea’s political, diplomatic, and economic stability. Impeaching him reinforces our commitment to democracy.”
Leadership transition and public demonstrations
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as interim leader while the Constitutional Court reviews the impeachment over the next 180 days. The court will decide whether to uphold the parliament’s decision.
Ahead of the vote, approximately 200,000 demonstrators gathered near the National Assembly, demanding Yoon’s removal. The rallies, featuring chants, placards, and K-pop music, began after the martial law announcement and continue to draw large crowds.
This impeachment marks the third such case in South Korea’s recent history. In 2004, the Constitutional Court overturned an impeachment against President Roh Moo-hyun, while in 2017, President Park Geun-hye was formally removed from office following her impeachment.
Yoon faces additional challenges, including criminal investigations for alleged treason and abuse of power. Authorities have barred him from leaving the country. Meanwhile, his approval rating has dropped to an all-time low of 11%, according to Gallup Korea.
