South Korea’s president impeached over brief martial law decree
South Korea's parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol early Saturday morning, after a brief decree of martial law thrust the country into temporary political peril.
The motion to impeach Yoon passed with a 204-85 vote, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Now, with the successful impeachment vote, the president’s powers will be handed over, for now, to South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
The nation's Constitutional Court is now tasked with making a decision on whether Yoon should be ousted from office officially. If so, an election would be held within 60 days, according to the AP.
An initial attempt to impeach Yoon failed last weekend after the opposition party did not muster enough votes, with some members of the ruling party walking out and preventing the coalition from moving forward. Opposition leaders within South Korea's National Assembly criticized the sitting president, who in declared emergency martial law earlier this month, lambasting the parliament of being a “den for criminals.”
His announcement spurred protests outside of the halls of parliament, where lawmakers fought through demonstrators to gather and approve the injunction opposing Yoon’s mandate. All 190 members who participated in the vote moved to block the declaration.
The president ended up apologizing for his decision and promised not to repeat the move.
“I am very sorry and sincerely apologize to the people who may have been surprised,” he said at the time. “I will not shirk the issue of legal and political responsibility in connection with the declaration of martial law.”
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik lauded the successful impeachment as "the people’s ardent desire for democracy, courage and dedication," the AP reported.
Following the vote, Yoon argued that he will “never give up” and called for officials to conserve governmental stability amid the “temporary” halt of his term.
“I will carry with me all the criticisms, encouragement and support directed toward me, and I will continue to do my utmost for the country until the very last moment,” Yoon said in a statement, per the news wire.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.