South Korea's National Assembly has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial attempt to impose martial law, a move that has sparked significant political upheaval in the country. The impeachment vote took place on Saturday, with 204 lawmakers supporting the motion and 85 opposing it. This marks a pivotal moment in South Korea's political landscape, as Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling.
The crisis began on December 3, when President Yoon declared martial law for the first time in over forty years, citing threats from North Korea and political instability as justifications. However, the decree was short-lived, lasting only six hours before being rescinded by parliament, which voted unanimously to annul it. This unprecedented action led to widespread protests and significant backlash from opposition parties and the public, who viewed Yoon's move as an attempt to undermine democracy.
In a dramatic turn of events, Yoon had deployed hundreds of military personnel and police to the National Assembly in an effort to obstruct the vote on his martial law decree. However, lawmakers managed to breach this military presence and successfully rejected the order without any major violence occurring. The swift parliamentary response highlighted the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions.
The impeachment motion accused Yoon of "committing rebellion that jeopardizes peace in the Republic of Korea" by attempting to incite riots against established authorities. Critics argue that under South Korean law, a president can only declare martial law during wartime or similar crises and lacks the authority to suspend parliamentary functions even during such declarations. The allegations have intensified calls for accountability and raised questions about Yoon's adherence to constitutional norms.
On Thursday, in a fiery address prior to the impeachment vote, Yoon dismissed the accusations against him as politically motivated. He characterized his actions as necessary governance aimed at maintaining order amid what he described as "anti-state" activities by opposition forces. Yoon's rhetoric further polarized public opinion, with many viewing his remarks as an escalation rather than a reconciliation.
Following the impeachment vote, jubilant crowds gathered outside the National Assembly to celebrate what they viewed as a victory for democracy. However, supporters of Yoon also rallied in protest, reflecting a deeply divided public sentiment regarding his presidency. Opinion polls indicate that over 70% of South Koreans support the impeachment, with Yoon's approval rating plummeting to an alarming low of 11%.
As Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumes presidential duties temporarily, the Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold Yoon's impeachment or restore his powers. If Yoon is formally removed from office, a national election must be held within 60 days.
