South Korean lawmakers have voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law, which ignited massive protests across the country.
Yoon was suspended after some members of his own People Power Party (PPP) joined the opposition in voting for impeachment. However, the decision still requires ratification by the constitutional court.
Thousands of anti-Yoon protesters celebrated outside the National Assembly on Saturday evening after the impeachment motion passed, with the crowd singing and fireworks lighting up the sky.
Yoon has vowed to continue fighting, describing the vote as a temporary pause to his presidency. He attempted to impose military rule after months of political deadlock, claiming it was necessary to counter alleged North Korean efforts to destabilize his government. However, MPs overturned the declaration within hours.
Public support for Yoon’s impeachment has been strong, with recent polls indicating that three-quarters of South Koreans wanted him removed from office.
Following days of public pressure, the PPP allowed its lawmakers to vote on the motion, after a previous attempt to impeach Yoon failed when PPP lawmakers boycotted the hearing.
On Saturday, the impeachment motion passed with the required two-thirds majority after 12 members of Yoon’s party voted in favor. The constitutional court now has 180 days to decide whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment or allow him to return to office. If the court rules in favor of impeachment, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as acting president. Han stated that his focus is to “stabilize the situation” and “bring back normalcy for the people.”
