In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, accusing him of insurrection following a controversial attempt to impose martial law. The motion, which required a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat National Assembly, passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three abstentions, and eight nullified votes.
The impeachment charges stem from Yoon’s alleged orchestration of riots and threats against the National Assembly and the public. His bid to declare martial law on December 3 was widely condemned as a dangerous overreach of executive power, citing the need to eliminate domestic political support for North Korea. Critics and experts have described the move as a reckless gamble that undermined South Korea’s democratic institutions and security.
Constitutional Court to Decide President’s Fate
With the impeachment vote, Yoon’s presidential duties have been suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of interim president. The Constitutional Court will now review the case and has up to 180 days to deliver a ruling. If the court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will hold a presidential election within 60 days. Yoon would then become the second president in the nation’s history to be removed from office, following Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Political Turmoil and Public Outcry
The impeachment marks a new low in a period of escalating political turmoil in South Korea. President Yoon’s approval rating has plunged to a record-low 11%, reflecting widespread discontent over his governance. Massive protests have rocked the capital, Seoul, with demonstrators demanding Yoon’s resignation and prosecution. The metropolitan government has mobilized over 1,000 safety personnel to maintain order amid growing unrest.
Yoon’s martial law attempt has been particularly divisive, with opposition parties denouncing it as an act of rebellion. The fallout has already implicated senior government and military officials, including the arrest of the former defense minister and ongoing investigations into top military commanders. The crisis has also raised alarms about the nation’s ability to respond to escalating tensions with North Korea.
A Nation in Crisis
The impeachment vote signals a profound crisis in South Korean politics, with far-reaching implications for its democracy and national security. As the nation waits for the Constitutional Court’s verdict, questions remain about the stability of its leadership and the challenges it faces in navigating domestic unrest and external threats.