South Korean lawmakers are gearing up for a crucial vote on Saturday to decide whether President Yoon Suk Yeol should be impeached over his failed martial law declaration. This marks the second impeachment attempt after an earlier bid last week fell short.
The National Assembly will vote around 4:00 pm (0700 GMT) on the motion accusing Yoon of “insurrectionary acts undermining the constitutional order.” To pass, the motion requires 200 votes, which means the opposition must persuade at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to support it.
Must Read: South Korea: Ruling Party Endorses Impeachment Push As President Yeol Resists Resignation
As of Friday noon, seven PPP lawmakers had pledged their backing, leaving the outcome uncertain. Meanwhile, thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets of Seoul, calling for Yoon’s resignation and imprisonment. The backlash follows his short-lived martial law declaration on December 3-4, which involved deploying soldiers and helicopters to parliament.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, urged PPP lawmakers to side with the people:
“What the lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the ruling People Power Party but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets. Please join in supporting the impeachment vote tomorrow. History will remember and record your choice.”
Last week, two PPP lawmakers supported the motion, and opposition lawmaker Kim Min-seok expressed optimism on Friday, stating he was “99 percent” sure the motion would pass.
If approved, Yoon would be suspended from office as South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates. During this period, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would serve as interim president. The court has 180 days to rule on the impeachment. If it supports his removal, Yoon will become South Korea’s second successfully impeached president.
However, there is precedent for the court to overturn parliamentary decisions. In 2004, the Constitutional Court reinstated then-President Roh Moo-hyun after parliament impeached him for alleged election law violations and incompetence. With only six judges currently on the court, a unanimous decision would be required to remove Yoon.
Must Read: “Fight Until The End”: South Korean President Vows To Defend His Office Amid Impeachment Push
Even if the impeachment motion fails, Yoon could still face legal consequences for the martial law attempt. Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at Korea University Institute of Law, told AFP, “Even if the impeachment motion does not pass, the president’s legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code… cannot be avoided. This is clearly an act of insurrection.”
As public outrage intensifies, Yoon has remained defiant. On Thursday, he delivered a televised address, vowing to fight “until the very last minute” and repeating unsubstantiated accusations that the opposition is allied with communist adversaries.
Prosecutors have widened their investigation into Yoon’s administration. On Friday, a military commander who led the Capital Defence Command was arrested, while the Seoul Central District Court issued warrants for the national police chief and the head of the city’s police over concerns of evidence tampering.
Yoon’s approval ratings have plummeted to a new low of 11 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll released Friday, with 75 percent of respondents supporting his impeachment.
Protesters from all walks of life, from K-pop fans waving glowsticks to retirees and blue-collar workers, have united to demand his removal.
“Impeachment is a must and we must fight relentlessly,” said Kim Sung-tae, a 52-year-old car parts worker. “We’re fighting for the restoration of democracy.”
Teacher Kim Hwan-ii shared similar sentiments, saying, “I’m so angry that we all have to pay the price for electing this president.”
Also Read: North Korea Slams South Korea As ‘Gangster Nation’ After Yoon’s Martial Law
