South Korean President Yoon Survives Martial Law Impeachment Vote
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has narrowly avoided impeachment following his controversial attempt to declare martial law earlier this week. The bill to censure Yoon failed to meet the required two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, falling three votes short.
Yoon’s martial law declaration, aimed at addressing a political stalemate, triggered widespread outrage and protests across the country. The order was swiftly overturned by parliament, with the government rescinding it hours later amidst mounting public pressure.
Parliament Divided Over Impeachment
The impeachment vote highlighted deep divisions in the South Korean parliament. Although the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) controls a significant majority, support from at least eight members of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) was needed to pass the motion. However, most PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote, with only three members remaining in the chamber.
One of the three, Cho Kyung-tae, credited Yoon’s public apology for his decision not to back impeachment. “The president’s apology and his willingness to delegate political decisions to the party influenced my stance,” Cho said.
Protests and Political Fallout
Yoon’s unprecedented martial law declaration, a move not seen in South Korea since its transition to democracy in 1987, sparked outrage nationwide. Large protests erupted outside the National Assembly as military personnel initially attempted to block lawmakers from entering the building.
Parliament ultimately overturned the martial law decree, but the fallout has continued. The National Intelligence Service confirmed reports that Yoon had ordered the arrest of political opponents, further fueling public anger and dissent within his party.
What’s Next for South Korea?
Yoon’s apology, in which he described the martial law decision as one made in “desperation,” has done little to ease tensions. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung vowed to continue efforts to impeach the president, calling him “the worst risk to South Korea.”
Should impeachment efforts succeed in the future, Yoon would face a constitutional court trial, requiring a two-thirds vote to remove him from office—a scenario reminiscent of former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2016.
