South Korea’s Parliament Impeaches President Yoon: What’s Next?
On Saturday, December 14, the South Korean parliament voted for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, just a week after the first impeachment attempt failed.
Yoon’s tenure as the President of the Asian country came under scrutiny after the 62-year-old declared martial law on December 3 over what he described as “North Korea’s communist forces” and “anti-state elements” within the country. The decision, however, backfired, as the parliament, within hours, voted to lift the declaration and started his impeachment proceedings.
While the first attempt to remove Yoon failed, the parliament has successfully voted to impeach the president, who was elected in 2022. To be impeached, the 300-member National Assembly needs 200 votes, meaning the opposition block would require eight lawmakers from the ruling party, which has 108 members in the parliament, to impeach the President.
Also Read: South Korean President Faces Impeachment. Here’s Why
Yoon was unable to survive the second impeachment attempt as the leader of the ruling party pulled his support from the President, asking members of parliament to vote their conscience. Although a total of 85 lawmakers voted against the impeachment, four lawmakers from Yoon’s party voted for him to be removed from office, bringing the total vote to 204.
What’s Next
Yoon is the second President to be removed from office in South Korea in a decade. With the impeachment, the law demands that his constitutional powers as President will be suspended while the case moves to court, where it will be deliberated for at least 180 days.
During this period, Yoon would transfer the administration of the country to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who will become the Acting President.
Since his election in 2022, Yoon’s administration has faced intense scrutiny over scandals, unpopular policies, and political missteps.
In May, Yoon issued a public apology on behalf of his wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, amid allegations that she unlawfully accepted luxury gifts. In November, he vetoed a bill calling for an investigation into corruption allegations involving her, sparking outrage among the opposition.
