SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol following a dramatic political crisis triggered by his attempt to impose martial law.
This unprecedented move comes after Yoon’s own ruling party turned against him, demanding his resignation over his controversial actions.
The impeachment marks the second time in less than a decade that a South Korean president has faced such proceedings, temporarily suspending Yoon from office until the country’s Constitutional Court adjudicates the matter.
The political showdown erupted after Yoon briefly declared martial law on December 3, deploying soldiers to parliament to prevent lawmakers from entering the building.
The lawmakers, however, fought past the troops and voted down the decree. Yoon’s move backfired, sparking widespread calls for his removal.
A week earlier, opposition parties had attempted to impeach Yoon, but the motion failed after members of his own People Power Party boycotted the vote, hoping Yoon would voluntarily step down.
Instead, Yoon delivered a defiant speech on Thursday, defending his martial law decision and vowing to fight on with the people.
However, just before his speech, the leader of Yoon’s party withdrew his support, calling impeachment the “only way” to protect democracy.
Lawmakers were instructed to vote their conscience, and Saturday’s impeachment vote passed with 204 in favor and 85 against.
Protesters gathered in the cold outside parliament in Seoul, demanding Yoon’s resignation, while thousands of his supporters rallied downtown, waving U.S. and South Korean flags in a show of solidarity.
Yoon has been suspended from his duties pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court, which could take up to six months.
If upheld, Yoon will become the second South Korean president to be removed from office via impeachment, following the ousting of Park Geun-hye.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is now serving as acting president, although he is also embroiled in controversy over his role in the martial law decision, adding further uncertainty to the political landscape.
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has faced a turbulent presidency, marked by low approval ratings, scandals involving his wife and political appointments, and a political deadlock with an opposition-majority parliament.
His administration has also been criticized for its crackdown on media outlets and journalists, under the guise of combating “fake news.”
Yoon’s martial law attempt has been seen as a desperate move to break the political gridlock and push forward his agenda, a decision that has now placed his presidency in jeopardy.