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South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol vowed on Saturday to “never give up” after the National Assembly voted to impeach him.
Yun described his impeachment as a “pause” and last week launched an unsuccessful attempt to impose military rule on Asia’s fourth-largest economy, saying in a televised speech that “all my efforts have been in vain.” It’s frustrating to think that.” [as president] It might have been a waste. ”
“Although we are on pause now, the road to the future that we have been walking together with the people for the past two and a half years must never stop,” he said.
Yun’s remarks came after the National Assembly voted to impeach him by a 204-85 margin.
Yoon was suspended and his constitutional powers were provisionally transferred to Prime Minister Han Deok-soo while the Constitutional Court deliberates whether to approve his removal as head of state.
The Constitutional Court is supposed to issue a ruling within six months of the parliamentary vote, but this deadline is not binding. If Yoon is removed from office, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.
Speaking to reporters after the vote, Mr. Han said, “My heart is very heavy,” and promised to do his best to realize a stable government.
The opposition, which holds a total of 192 seats in the 300-member parliament, only needs the support of eight of the 108 members of the president’s People Power Party (PPP) to secure the necessary two-thirds majority. Ta.
Yun survived an impeachment motion last Saturday after conservative PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote. But the mood within the party began to turn against the president Thursday after a speech in which he slammed his critics and vowed to “fight to the end.”
Although the People’s Party’s official policy remains against impeaching Yun, party leader Han Dong-hoon said Thursday that party members should vote according to their conscience. All 300 members of Congress participated in the vote, which was held by secret ballot. Three people abstained and eight voted invalidly.
“Mr. Yoon has provoked a revolt that paralyzed the constitutional order,” Park Chan-dae, House Minority Leader of the Democratic Party, the main opposition party, told lawmakers before the vote.
“The National Assembly must use its constitutional authority to suspend its duties,” he added. “This is the quickest and most orderly way to resolve the situation.”
The result was welcomed with cheers and applause by tens of thousands of people who gathered outside the National Assembly building in Seoul to urge lawmakers to vote in favor of impeachment.
“I’m very happy now, but this is just the beginning,” said Seo Mi-joo, a protester who works in the education field. “I will fight to the end until he is arrested and punished.”
Simon Henderson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch, said Yoon’s impeachment was a “reminder of how democratic South Korea came to the brink of martial law and a stark reminder of the dark history of military dictatorships.” It reminds me of that.”
“Instead, South Korean citizens and lawmakers have stood up and fought to protect democracy and human rights,” he added. “The impeachment process highlights how important checks and balances are in deterring abuse of power and supporting the rule of law.”
Analysts said Saturday’s vote was unlikely to signal an end to the political turmoil.
Mr. Yoon is said to have sent troops to storm the National Assembly in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting to reject his decree imposing military rule.
Some opposition parties are suggesting that Prime Minister Han, who is currently serving as interim president, should also be impeached for his role in the martial law issue as head of the Yun cabinet.
The last South Korean president to be impeached was conservative Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in 2017 following a bribery and influence scandal that sparked mass street protests.
