South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached in parliament 2 weeks after temporary martial law

South Korea’s parliament on Saturday was impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on top of his surprise again temporary martial lawa move that ended the days of political paralysis but sparked heated debate over Yoon’s fate, as jubilant crowds roared in support of the country’s staunch democracy.

The National Assembly passed the motion 204-85. Yoon’s presidential powers and duties were then suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s No. 2 head of state, assumed presidential powers later on Saturday.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon as president or restore his power. If he is removed from office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

It was the second National Assembly vote on Yoon’s impeachment after members of the ruling party they boycotted the first floor vote last Saturday. Some lawmakers from the People Power Party had said they would vote for Yoon’s removal from office as public protests intensified and his approval rating dropped.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Yoon’s dismissal was a result driven by “the people’s great desire for democracy, courage and dedication.”

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the parliament roaring, waving banners and chanting colorfully. K-pop glow sticksas a leading activist shouted from the stage, “We have preserved the constitutional order!”

“The impeachment was carried out in accordance with the people’s request and I hope that the decision to expel Yoon Suk Yeol will come soon,” said Kim Su-bong, a protester. “I am very happy and touched. I see it as a victory for the people.”

In the central Seoul plaza, another large crowd gathered in support of Yoon, but was subdued after hearing that he had been indicted.

The acting leader strengthens the country’s security

Yoon issued a statement saying “he will never lose power” and urged officials to maintain stability in government operations during what he described as a temporary stop as president.

“I will go along with all the criticism, encouragement and support directed at me, and I will continue to do my best for the country until the last moment,” said Yoon.

Yoon’s December 3 imposition of martial law, the first in more than four decades in South Korea, it only took six hoursbut it caused great political upheaval, halted diplomatic operations and destabilized financial markets. Yoon was forced to lift his decision after parliament voted unanimously to overturn it.

Han, the acting leader, ordered the military to strengthen its security posture to prevent North Korea from launching miscalculated provocations. Han asked the foreign minister to inform other countries that South Korea’s major foreign policies have not changed, and the finance minister to work to reduce the potential negative effects on the economy due to political unrest, according to Han’s office.

“I am asking the public servants for this. Right now, we have a difficult task to ensure that the affairs of the state work in a normal and stable manner… Please do your work without neglect to ensure that the government works without being shaken,” Han said in a television statement.

Executive power in South Korea is concentrated in the president, but the prime minister leads the country if the president is unable to work. Han is a veteran official and has held a series of top government posts such as trade minister and finance minister. He also served as prime minister from 2007-2008.

US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg wrote in X that the US supports South Korea’s “democratic and constitutional process” and stands with its people. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters on Saturday that Tokyo was closely watching what was happening in South Korea but said “the importance of Japan-South Korea relations is not affected.”

After declaring martial law, Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police parliament to try to block its vote on the decision, before withdrawing after parliament rejected Yoon’s announcement. No major violence occurred.

Opposition parties accused Yoon of sedition, citing the sedition law that classifies as sedition the occurrence of riots against state authorities to undermine the constitution. They also said that South Korea’s president is only allowed to declare martial law in times of war or similar emergencies and has no right to suspend parliament even under martial law.

The motion for trial said Yoon “committed a protest that harmed the peace of the Republic of Korea by causing a series of riots.” It said Yoon’s combination of the military and the police threatened the National Assembly and the public and that his martial law was intended to undermine the constitution.

Yoon remains defiant

In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon rejected charges of treason, calling his imposition of martial law an act of authoritarianism. Conservative Yoon said he intends to issue a warning to the main opposition Democratic Party, which he calls a “monstrous animal” and “anti-state forces” who say they have changed their legislative powers to impeach senior officials and undermine the government’s budget bill. next year. He said the military deployment was meant to maintain order, rather than disrupt it.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon’s speech a “crazy declaration of war” against his own people.

Observers said Yoon’s speech suggested a focus on legal preparations to defend his martial law decision at the Constitutional Court, as opinion polls showed more than 70% of South Koreans support his prosecution. A survey released on Friday put Yoon’s approval rating at 11%, the lowest since he took office in 2022.

Some of Yoon’s claims are inconsistent with the testimony of other military commanders whose soldiers were sent to the Assembly.

Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, said Yoon asked his troops to “immediately destroy the door and drag out the law-makers inside.” Kak said he didn’t do Yoon’s order.

Yoon is the third South Korean president to be impeached while in office. In 2016, parliament impeached Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, in a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment and dismissed him from office.

In 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached in parliament for alleged election violations but the court overturned the impeachment and restored his presidential powers.

Yoon is banned from leaving South Korea. Yoon’s defense minister and police chief and two other high-ranking officials were arrested under martial law.

He has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution but that does not extend to accusations of treason or treason. But observers doubt the authorities will forcefully detain him because of a possible conflict with his presidential security service.