South Korean president impeached following second vote on martial order declaration

South Korea’s National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations of insurrection stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law earlier this month.

The move has plunged the nation into a political crisis, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming the role of interim leader as the Constitutional Court deliberates the impeachment.

Of the 300 lawmakers in the assembly, 204 supported impeachment, surpassing the required threshold of 200. Eighty-five members opposed the motion, while three abstained and eight votes were nullified. The outcome indicates that some members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) crossed party lines to support the measure.

President Yoon’s attempted martial law declaration on December 3, reportedly aimed at quelling civil unrest, has been widely condemned as a threat to democracy. The opposition Democratic Party, which controls the majority in parliament, called the impeachment “a victory of the people” and said it was necessary to protect South Korea’s constitutional order.

The Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment. If it does, Yoon will become the second South Korean president to be removed from office after impeachment, following Park Geun-hye in 2017.

The court’s current makeup of six judges requires a unanimous decision for the impeachment to be confirmed. A failure to secure the court’s approval could leave Yoon vulnerable to criminal prosecution for his martial law attempt.

The impeachment vote was accompanied by massive protests in Seoul. Police estimated that 200,000 demonstrators gathered outside parliament in support of impeachment, while 30,000 rallied near Gwanghwamun Square to support Yoon.

Supporters of impeachment handed out coffee, food, and hand warmers to attendees braving sub-zero temperatures. Prominent figures like K-pop singer Yuri of Girl’s Generation also voiced their support, turning the demonstrations into a blend of political activism and solidarity.

Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters argued that his martial law bid was justified, with some attendees waving South Korean and American flags and playing patriotic songs.

Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted to 11%, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with his leadership. Legal experts suggest that even if the impeachment is overturned, Yoon could still face prosecution under South Korea’s criminal code for acts of insurrection.

The political landscape remains uncertain as the nation awaits the court’s decision, with potential ramifications for the stability of South Korea’s democracy and rule of law.