The joy was palpable after the result was announced, with many erupting in cheers and singing in jubilation
South Korean lawmakers have voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law, which triggered widespread protests across the nation. Yoon was suspended after several members of his own party, the People Power Party (PPP), voted with the opposition. However, the decision still requires ratification by the constitutional court.
Outside the National Assembly, thousands of anti-Yoon protesters celebrated the vote, singing and lighting fireworks as the motion passed. Yoon has vowed to continue his fight, calling the impeachment vote a temporary setback and pledging never to give up. “I will take your criticism, praise, and support to heart and do my best for the country until the end,” he stated, a shift from his earlier apologetic tone following the martial law attempt.
Yoon's attempt to declare martial law came after months of political gridlock, citing concerns about North Korean efforts to undermine his government. The declaration was overturned within hours by lawmakers. Public support for his impeachment has been strong, with polls showing that three-quarters of South Koreans favored his removal.
Faced with growing public pressure, the PPP allowed its lawmakers to vote on the motion after initially boycotting a previous impeachment attempt. On Saturday, the motion passed with the support of 12 PPP members, reaching the two-thirds majority needed. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, from the opposition Democratic Party, declared, “The future of the Republic of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people.”
The constitutional court now has 180 days to decide whether to uphold the imp
eachment. If it agrees with the decision, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as acting president, with a focus on stabilizing the country and restoring normalcy.
Celebrations erupted outside the National Assembly, with people expressing their belief that this was a victory for democracy. However, the mood was somber at a pro-Yoon rally, where supporters fell silent and some expressed anger.
The impeachment vote's success relied on PPP lawmakers, who had initially opposed the motion but were allowed to vote according to their consciences. The final tally saw 204 lawmakers vote for impeachment. The vote marks the culmination of nearly two weeks of political turmoil, which began when Yoon's martial law declaration, justified by supposed threats from North Korea and "anti-state forces," was quickly reversed after being rejected by 190 MPs.
Yoon’s approval rating plummeted to a record low following the crisis, and the impeachment process echoes South Korea's 2016 removal of former president Park Geun-hye, a case in which Yoon, then a prosecutor, played a key role.
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