South Korea Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Failed Martial Law Attempt

Yoon Impeached Amid Martial Law Controversy: South Korea Faces Political Upheaval

South Korean lawmakers voted on December 14, 2024, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial attempt to impose martial law earlier in the month. The opposition hailed the impeachment as a “victory of the people,” while public rallies for and against Yoon underscored the political turmoil gripping the nation.

Impeachment Details

The National Assembly cast a decisive vote, with 204 out of 300 lawmakers favoring impeachment. The president was charged with insurrection for his December 3 martial law bid. Only 85 lawmakers voted against the motion, while three abstained, and eight votes were nullified.

Yoon is now suspended from office as South Korea’s Constitutional Court begins its deliberations, a process that could take up to 180 days. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed leadership of the country.

Passing the impeachment required at least 200 votes, forcing opposition lawmakers to secure support from members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP).

“This impeachment is a monumental victory for the people,” declared Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party, after the vote.

Public Reaction: Rival Rallies Fill the Streets of Seoul

The impeachment vote came as hundreds of thousands of South Koreans gathered in Seoul in opposing demonstrations.

Support for Impeachment:
Outside the parliament, approximately 200,000 protesters demanded Yoon’s removal. Volunteers handed out warm drinks, food, and hand warmers in the freezing weather. Protesters expressed their determination, with some even renting buses to accommodate families with children. K-pop star Yuri, of Girl’s Generation, supported the rally by prepaying for food supplies for attendees, urging fans to stay healthy.
Support for Yoon:
Meanwhile, near Gwanghwamun Square, around 30,000 Yoon supporters rallied in defiance. Waving South Korean and American flags, they sang patriotic songs, with some voicing approval of Yoon’s actions.

Opposition’s Call to Safeguard Democracy

The opposition Democratic Party emphasized that impeachment was necessary to protect South Korea’s democracy and constitution.

“We could no longer endure Yoon’s reckless leadership,” said party spokesperson Hwang Jung-a. “This impeachment was the only way to safeguard the future of South Korea.”

Defiant Yoon Stands His Ground

Despite his suspension and plummeting approval ratings, which now stand at 11 percent (Gallup Korea), Yoon remains defiant. He has dismissed the allegations against him, accusing the opposition of conspiring with communist adversaries.

Yoon’s impeachment has drawn comparisons to the country’s only other presidential impeachment case in 2004. In that instance, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was removed by parliament, but the Constitutional Court later reinstated him.

Currently, the court consists of six judges, requiring a unanimous decision to finalize Yoon’s removal.

What’s Next?

If the Constitutional Court affirms the impeachment, Yoon will become only the second president in South Korean history to be removed from office. The decision could further polarize the nation, with political divisions already deepened by this crisis.

Key Takeaways

This impeachment underscores the fragile state of South Korea’s political landscape. Public sentiment largely supports the motion, with 75 percent of citizens approving Yoon’s removal, according to recent polls. The next few months will be critical as the Constitutional Court deliberates, determining the nation’s political future.