South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a second impeachment vote by the opposition-led parliament following his controversial attempt to impose martial law. The move, which shocked the nation and divided his party, ultimately led to his impeachment.
According to the constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, appointed by Yoon, became the acting president while Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended. Han expressed his commitment to ensuring stability after Yoon’s impeachment, stating that he would do everything in his power to stabilize the government.
Yoon is the second conservative president in South Korea to be impeached, following Park Geun-hye’s removal from office in 2017. The first impeachment vote against Yoon was largely boycotted by his party, but the second vote successfully reached the two-thirds threshold needed for impeachment.
Protesters celebrating Yoon’s impeachment gathered near parliament, while a rally of Yoon supporters quickly dispersed after the news. The Constitutional Court will decide whether to remove Yoon within the next six months, potentially leading to a snap election.
Yoon’s decision to impose martial law and his subsequent apology to the nation sparked widespread calls for his resignation. Despite facing criminal investigation for alleged insurrection due to the martial law declaration, Yoon remained defiant in his speech, vowing to “fight to the end” and defending his actions as necessary to overcome political deadlock.
The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol marked a significant moment in South Korean politics, with the nation now facing a period of transition and uncertainty. The events surrounding Yoon’s impeachment underscored the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law in a rapidly changing political landscape.
