President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has been impeached and suspended from office following a controversial declaration of martial law, which he enacted for the first time in 45 years. The National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach him, with a significant number of lawmakers from his own party opposing him.
The martial law decree, which lasted only a few hours, sparked widespread public outrage and protests, leading to celebrations outside the Assembly after the impeachment vote passed with 204 in favor and 85 against. Yoon's popularity has significantly declined during his presidency, which has been characterized by political polarization and various scandals.
In the wake of his impeachment, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of interim leader. Han, not being an elected official, faces the challenge of governing during a time of political instability and external threats, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
Following the impeachment, opposition leaders expressed cautious optimism, viewing the outcome as a victory for democracy in South Korea. However, they acknowledged that the struggle to remove Yoon from power is not over, as he plans to contest the impeachment in the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court is expected to make a decision within the next six months regarding Yoon's reinstatement or formal removal. If removed, South Korea would conduct a new presidential election within two months.
Yoon's brief attempt at martial law involved sending military troops to the Assembly, which was met with resistance from citizens and parliamentary aides, ultimately leading to a vote against his decree. This event has evoked memories of South Korea's history of military dictatorship.
Public pressure had been mounting against Yoon, whose approval rating had dropped to a record low of 11 percent. The impeachment proceedings highlighted the importance of checks and balances in preventing abuses of power.
As Yoon faces potential criminal charges of insurrection, he has maintained that his actions were constitutional. The political landscape remains uncertain, with experts suggesting that the impeachment is just the beginning of a longer struggle regarding governance and accountability in South Korea.