South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by lawmakers on Saturday following his failed attempt to impose martial law earlier this month. The opposition hailed the decision as a “victory of the people.”
The dramatic vote capped more than a week of political turmoil after Yoon’s controversial December 3 martial law declaration, which he later revoked under mounting backlash.
Impeachment Details
Out of the 300-seat parliament, 204 lawmakers voted in favor of impeachment on charges of insurrection, with 85 opposing and three abstaining. The impeachment suspends Yoon from office while the Constitutional Court deliberates on his removal, a process that could take up to 180 days.
If the court upholds the decision, Yoon will become South Korea’s second president to be removed via impeachment, following Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Public Reaction and Protests
Massive rallies erupted across Seoul on Saturday, with 200,000 people gathering outside parliament in favor of Yoon’s removal, while 30,000 supporters held a counter-rally near Gwanghwamun Square.
“We, the people, pulled this off together,” said Choi Jung-ha, a 52-year-old protester celebrating the impeachment vote.
In contrast, Yoon supporters defended his martial law bid, arguing it was necessary to maintain stability.
“I approve of every decision he has made as president,” said supporter Choi Hee-sun, 62.
The Road Ahead
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, now acting president, pledged to ensure stable governance during the transition. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party called impeachment the “only way” to protect the Constitution and rule of law, citing Yoon’s “madness” in attempting martial law.
Parliament Speaker Woo Won-shik announced plans to fill three vacancies in the Constitutional Court to expedite the decision-making process.
While the Constitutional Court has historically overturned impeachment once before—reinstating Roh Moo-hyun in 2004—it would require a unanimous decision from the court’s current six judges to reinstate Yoon.
Yoon’s Declining Support
Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a Gallup Korea poll, with 75% of respondents supporting his impeachment. Despite the backlash, Yoon remained defiant and unapologetic in his televised response to the impeachment vote, stating he would “step aside” but not expressing regret for his martial law bid.