This Saturday (December 14, 2024), the National Assembly of South Korea authorized the removal of Yoon Suk-yeol, the president of the country (right-wing, People’s Power Party). 8 null votes, three abstentions, 204 votes in favor, and 85 votes against were cast. 200 of the three hundred deputies had to support it.
Yoon immediately leaves the office after receiving approval. Han Duck-soo, the independent prime minister of South Korea, assumes temporary leadership. The Constitutional Court will evaluate the procedure. The Court can accept or reject the impeachment within 180 days.
Yoon will lose his job if the court grants the motion, and the nation will have to hold a new presidential election within 60 days.
On December 7, the president of South Korea was the target of another impeachment motion. However, after almost every member of the ruling party left the session, the measure was unable to pass. The opposition holds 192 seats, while the People’s Power Party holds 108.
Yoon imposed martial law on the nation on December 3, which prompted the impeachment requests. The South Korean parliament at the time decided to eliminate the law. The decree was revoked hours later.
Also Read: South Korean President Yoon Seok apologized for martial law but did not resign
