SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday over his astonishing and short-lived martial law decree, a move that ended days of political paralysis but sparked intense debate over the fate of de Yoon, while jubilant crowds roared in celebration. another moment of challenge for the country’s resilient democracy.
The National Assembly adopted the motion 204-85. Yoon’s presidential powers and duties were then suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s second-ranking official, assumed presidential powers later on Saturday.
The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether to remove Yoon as president or restore his powers. If he is removed from office, national elections must be held within 60 days to choose his successor.
This is the National Assembly’s second vote on Yoon’s impeachment after ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote on the first floor last Saturday. Some People Power Party lawmakers have since said they would vote to impeach Yoon as public protests intensified and his popularity plummeted.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Yoon’s impeachment was the result of the people’s “burning desire for democracy, courage and dedication.”
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near Parliament roared in jubilation, waved banners and held up colorful K-pop light sticks, while a leading activist shouted on stage: “We have preserved the constitutional order!”
“The impeachment was carried out in accordance with the people’s demand and I hope a decision to dismiss Yoon Suk Yeol will be made as soon as possible,” said Kim Su-bong, a protester. “I am very happy and moved. I consider this a victory for the people.
In a square in central Seoul, another huge crowd gathered in support of Yoon, but it calmed after learning he had been impeached.
Acting leader strengthens country’s security posture
Yoon issued a statement saying he would “never give up” and calling on officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a “temporary” pause in his presidency.
“I will take with me all the criticism, encouragement and support directed at me, and I will continue to do everything possible for the country until the very last moment,” Yoon said.
Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3, the first of its kind in more than four decades in South Korea, lasted only six hours, but caused massive political unrest, a halt to diplomatic activities and the shaking of financial markets. Yoon was forced to lift his decree after Parliament voted unanimously to overturn it.
Han, the interim leader, ordered the military to strengthen its security posture to prevent North Korea from miscalculating provocations. Han asked the foreign minister to inform other countries that South Korea’s major foreign policies remain unchanged, and the finance minister to work to minimize the potential negative impacts of political unrest on the economy, according to Han’s office.
“I sincerely ask this of the officials. At this time, we have the crucial task of ensuring the normal and stable operation of state affairs… I ask you to carry out your tasks without any negligence to ensure that the government functions without being shaken,” Han said in a televised statement.
South Korea’s executive power is concentrated in the hands of the president, but the prime minister runs the country in the event of the president’s incapacity. Han is a seasoned civil servant and has previously held a series of high-level government positions, such as Minister of Commerce and Minister of Finance. He also served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008.
U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg wrote on X that the United States 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 monitoring developments in South Korea, but said “the importance of relations between Japan and South Korea remains unaffected.”
After declaring martial law, Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police to parliament to try to prevent the decree from being passed, before withdrawing after parliament rejected Yoon’s decree. No major violence took place.
Opposition parties accuse Yoon of rebellion, citing a law that classifies organizing a riot against established state authorities to undermine the constitution as rebellion. They also claim that a South Korean president is only authorized to declare martial law in times of war or similar emergencies and has no right to suspend the operations of Parliament, even under martial law.
The impeachment motion alleged that Yoon “committed rebellion that harmed the peace in the Republic of Korea by organizing a series of riots.” He said Yoon’s mobilization of military and police forces threatened the National Assembly and the public and that his martial law decree was aimed at disrupting the constitution.
Yoon remains defiant
In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon rejected accusations of rebellion, calling the introduction of martial law an act of governance. Conservative Yoon said he intended to issue a warning to the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, calling it a “monster” and “anti-state forces” that he said have flexed their might legislative to remove numerous top officials and undermine the government’s budget bill. for next year. He said the deployment of troops was aimed at maintaining order rather than disrupting it.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon’s speech a “crazy declaration of war” against his own people.
Observers say Yoon’s speech suggested focusing on legal preparations to defend his martial law decree at the Constitutional Court, even as opinion polls showed more than 70 percent of South Koreans supporting his impeachment . A poll released Friday put Yoon’s approval rating at 11%, the lowest since he took office in 2022.
Some of Yoon’s claims do not match the testimonies of some military commanders whose troops were deployed to the Assembly.
Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the military’s Special Operations Command, said Yoon instructed his troops to “quickly destroy the gate and bring out the lawmakers inside.” Kwak said he did not carry out 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, following a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court upheld his indictment and dismissed him from office.
In 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached in Parliament for alleged violation of election law, but the court later overturned his impeachment and restored his presidential powers.
Yoon was banned from leaving South Korea. Yoon’s defense minister and police chief, as well as two other high-level figures, were arrested in connection with the implementation of martial law.
He enjoys the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution, but this does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. But observers doubt the authorities will forcibly arrest him due to the risk of clashes with his presidential security service.
Associated Press journalists Seong-bin Kang in Seoul, South Korea, and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
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