South Korea’s Opposition Pushes for Impeachment Vote Against President Yoon Suk Yeol
As the clock ticks down to a pivotal impeachment vote on Saturday, South Korea’s opposition leader has issued a stark warning to members of the ruling party: “history will remember” their actions regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vote is scheduled to take place at 5:00 PM local time (0800 GMT), marking a critical moment for the nation’s political landscape.
President Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law—his first attempt to impose such a measure in more than forty years—has led to intense political strife and has drawn widespread condemnation. An initial impeachment motion was thwarted last weekend when lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) opted to boycott the proceedings. However, following a week of behind-the-scenes negotiations and mounting investigations into Yoon and his administration, analysts suggest that the opposition’s second attempt may garner more support.
Analysts indicate that securing the necessary votes may be feasible, as the Democratic Party, now confident following reports of dissent among ruling party members, aims to persuade at least eight from the PPP to defect. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, appealed to his political rivals, reminding them, “What lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the PPP but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets.” He urged them to support the impeachment, stating, “History will remember and record your choice.”
In the previous attempt, two ruling party lawmakers backed the motion, and as of Friday, seven PPP members have indicated they would support impeachment, leaving the outcome uncertain. Lawmaker Kim Min-Seok expressed optimism, declaring he was “99 percent” confident that the impeachment would succeed.
If the impeachment passes, President Yoon would be suspended from his duties while the Constitutional Court deliberates his fate. In his absence, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume the role of interim president. The court has a maximum of 180 days to make its ruling. Should it uphold the impeachment, Yoon would become only the second South Korean president to be officially removed from office.
Historical precedents exist, however, as the Constitutional Court reinstated former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 after a similar impeachment process was initiated against him. Furthermore, the court currently has only six judges, meaning a unanimous decision would be necessary to uphold any potential impeachment ruling. Even if the vote fails, experts assert that President Yoon could still face possible legal consequences related to his martial law declaration.
Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, noted, “This is clearly an act of insurrection… Even if the impeachment motion does not pass, the President’s legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code cannot be ignored.”
In his recent televised remarks, Yoon has exhibited a refusal to back down, asserting his intention to resist until the end and making unverified claims that the opposition collaborates with communist adversaries. His tenure has seen significant public backlash, with thousands demonstrating in Seoul demanding his resignation and prosecution.
According to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted to just 11 percent, while a striking 75 percent of respondents favor his impeachment. Protesters, including K-pop fans and various workers, have expressed their frustration, with one worker stating, “Impeachment is a must, and we must fight relentlessly,” while another added, “I’m so angry that we all have to pay the price for electing this president.”
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Saturday’s vote, which could reshape the future of South Korea’s democratic governance.
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