South Korean lawmakers submitted an impeachment motion for South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on December 4, 2024.
Yonhap | via Reuters
South Korea’s parliament on Thursday formally tabled a motion to impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law, but his party vowed to oppose the move, casting the impeachment process into doubt.
Lawmakers could vote in favor of the bill as soon as Friday, but Yoon’s ruling People’s Power Party said they would oppose it. The opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, needs the support of at least eight ruling party lawmakers for the bill to pass.
“The declaration of emergency martial law by the Yoon Seok-yeol regime has brought great confusion and fear to our people,” Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won said at a late-night session of South Korea’s National Assembly held early Thursday morning. None of the 108 ruling party lawmakers attended to propose a motion. .
“We need to immediately suspend President Yoon’s power. He has committed an indelible and historic crime against the people and needs to calm the people’s anxiety so that they can return to their daily lives,” Kim said.
If the impeachment motion is passed by the Constitutional Court and the original verdict is upheld, Yoon Eun-hye will become the second South Korean president to be impeached since the massive candlelight protests in 2017 that led to the resignation of former President Park Geun-hye.
Yoon declared martial law late Tuesday in an attempt to ban political activity in South Korea and censor the media. The shocking move divided Yun’s ministers and the ruling People’s Power party and triggered six hours of political chaos.
Armed forces forced their way into the National Assembly building in Seoul but backed down when parliamentary aides sprayed fire extinguishers on them. Lawmakers rejected the martial law decision, while protesters scuffled with police outside.
Demonstrators held a candlelight vigil in Seoul on Wednesday night, demanding Mr Yoon’s resignation.
The impeachment motion against Yoon was reported at a plenary session shortly after midnight on Thursday, paving the way for an impeachment vote to be held within 24 to 72 hours.
The opposition needs a two-thirds majority to pass the bill and the support of about eight lawmakers from Yoon’s own party to get the 200 votes needed to impeach him. If the bill passes, South Korea’s Constitutional Court will decide whether to support the motion – a process that could take up to 180 days.
If Yoon is suspended from exercising power due to a bill passed by the National Assembly, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo will take over the leadership position.
If the embattled president resigns or is dismissed, new elections would be held within 60 days.
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