South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday over his failed attempt to impose martial law, with opposition leaders hailing the decision as a “victory for the people.”
The vote came as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Seoul in rival protests, both for and against Yoon, following his unsuccessful bid to declare martial law on December 3. Of the 300 lawmakers, 204 voted in favor of impeachment on charges of insurrection, 85 opposed it, three abstained, and eight votes were nullified.
As a result, Yoon has been suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court reviews the case. The court has 180 days to make a final ruling on whether Yoon will remain president. If the court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will become only the second South Korean president to be successfully removed from office.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, now serving as interim leader, assured the public that he would work to ensure stable governance during the period of uncertainty.
For the impeachment to pass, at least 200 votes were needed, and opposition lawmakers had to persuade members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to defect. Following the vote, Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae declared, “Today’s impeachment is the great victory of the people.”
Outside parliament, at least 200,000 people gathered in support of the impeachment, with many celebrating the outcome. Choi Jung-ha, 52, a protester, celebrated the victory, saying, “Isn’t it amazing that we, the people, have pulled this off together?” She expressed confidence that the Constitutional Court would uphold the decision.
On the opposite side of the city, an estimated 30,000 people rallied in support of President Yoon, waving South Korean and American flags and playing patriotic songs. Supporter Choi Hee-sun, 62, defended Yoon’s actions, stating, “Yoon had no choice but to declare martial law. I approve of every decision he has made as president.”
The opposition Democratic Party argued that impeachment was necessary to “safeguard the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy, and South Korea’s future.” Spokeswoman Hwang Jung-a condemned Yoon’s actions, saying, “We can no longer endure Yoon’s madness.”
Outside parliament, volunteers braved freezing temperatures to offer food, coffee, and hand warmers to protesters. K-pop singer Yuri of Girls’ Generation, whose song “Into the New World” became a protest anthem, also supported the rally, pre-paying for food for demonstrators.
Though the Constitutional Court has blocked impeachments in the past — such as in 2004 when President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated after being removed by parliament — the court currently has only six judges, meaning a unanimous decision is required.
Parliament speaker Woo Won-shik, following the vote, announced that the assembly would nominate three additional judges for the court. “The future of South Korea lies within its people,” he said.
Despite the setback, Yoon remained defiant, and his approval rating, which had already been low, dropped to just 11%, according to a recent Gallup Korea poll. The same survey revealed that 75% of the public supported his impeachment.
