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South Korea’s parliament on Saturday voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, almost two weeks following his botched attempt to institute martial law.<\/p>\n
A second motion submitted by the largest opposition party in South Korea secured the required two-thirds majority. Their first motion a week ago failed after members of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted proceedings, leaving the National Assembly without a quorum.<\/p>\n
Of the 300 lawmakers, 204 voted in favour of launching impeachment proceedings.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Han Duck Soo is to assume presidential duties until the Constitutional Court takes the final decision on whether to confirm Yoon’s impeachment or declare it unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
In an initial reaction, Han pledged to do all in his power to ensure an orderly continuation of state business. His first instruction was for the military to increase security precautions.<\/p>\n
Responding to the impeachment vote, Yoon said that he would listen to all the criticism, encouragement and support that he had received.<\/p>\n
“I will do my best for the nation until the end,” he added, speaking from the official presidential residence.<\/p>\n
Park Chan Dae, parliamentary head of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), termed the vote a “victory for the people and for democracy.”<\/p>\n
The opposition has accused Yoon of violating the constitution after his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3.<\/p>\n
The move shocked the nation but was rescinded just hours later following massive public resistance.<\/p>\n
Despite freezing temperatures, some 200,000 demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building on Saturday to support Yoon’s impeachment.<\/p>\n
Police estimate that a further 30,000 of his supporters gathered in the centre of the capital, Seoul.<\/p>\n
During the first impeachment vote on December 7, Yoon benefited from a change of mind from PPP leader Han Dong Hoon, who first said he would back the impeachment but then backtracked.<\/p>\n
But on Thursday Han openly declared his support for ousting Yoon, who has remained stubbornly defiant in defending his short-lived martial law declaration.<\/p>\n
Yoon, in a televised address on Thursday, labelled his political opponents “anti-state forces.”<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court now has a maximum of 180 days to make a final decision on Yoon’s impeachment.<\/p>\n
Analysts see Yoon’s unexpected move as an act of desperation in the face of long-running allegations of corruption directed at his wife. The president’s approval ratings among the electorate have plummeted.<\/p>\n
In addition, his PPP, which lacks a majority in the National Assembly, has been unable to get its legislation passed. The current heated controversy is focused on the budget for next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n