South Korea’s Parliament to Vote Again on Yoon’s Impeachment

13 Dec at 9:22 pm

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South Korea’s Parliament to Vote Again on Yoon’s Impeachment \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ South Korean lawmakers will vote Saturday on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol after his controversial Dec. 3 martial law decree. Though the opposition controls a majority in parliament, they lack the two-thirds majority needed to remove Yoon, whose actions have sparked mass protests and legal investigations. If impeached, Yoon’s presidential powers would be suspended while the Constitutional Court determines his fate.

South Korea’s Yoon Faces Renewed Impeachment Push: Quick Looks

Impeachment Vote: Parliament will decide on a second impeachment motion against Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday.
Martial Law Controversy: Yoon briefly imposed martial law on Dec. 3, citing governance concerns, sparking political turmoil.
Public Protests: Tens of thousands of citizens demand Yoon’s resignation and legal accountability.
Opposition Allegations: Critics accuse Yoon of rebellion and unconstitutional use of military forces.
Legal Risks: Yoon could face charges of rebellion or treason if removed from office, bypassing presidential immunity.
Government Arrests: Key officials, including the defense minister, face investigations for their roles in the martial law decree.
Potential Consequences: If impeached, Yoon’s powers will be suspended while the Constitutional Court deliberates.

Deep Look

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing intensifying political and legal challenges as lawmakers prepare for a second impeachment vote over his contentious declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. The decree, which lasted only six hours, marked the first use of martial law in South Korea in over 40 years and has left the country in political turmoil, with public protests erupting nationwide.

Martial Law and Political Fallout

Yoon’s short-lived martial law was introduced as an attempt to assert control during a time of alleged unrest. He deployed hundreds of troops and police to parliament, ostensibly to “maintain order” during its deliberations on the decree. However, lawmakers unanimously overturned the declaration, forcing Yoon to rescind it.

Critics, including opposition lawmakers and legal experts, argue that Yoon’s actions violated constitutional limits. Under South Korean law, martial law can only be declared during wartime or extreme emergencies. The deployment of troops to impede a parliamentary vote has led to allegations of rebellion, a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Yoon has defended his actions, denying rebellion charges and framing his decision as a necessary response to perceived legislative obstruction by the opposition. In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon called the liberal opposition Democratic Party “anti-state forces” and vowed to resist their attempts to undermine his government.

Impeachment Efforts

This marks the second time parliament has voted on Yoon’s impeachment in just one week. The first vote failed after ruling party lawmakers boycotted the session. However, opposition leaders remain determined, bolstered by growing public dissatisfaction and Yoon’s plummeting approval ratings.

The six opposition parties control 192 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly, falling short of the 200 votes needed for impeachment. Public protests against Yoon, drawing tens of thousands to Seoul’s streets, may pressure undecided lawmakers to join the impeachment effort.

Public Reaction and Legal Investigations

Yoon’s declaration of martial law has sparked massive public protests, with demonstrators calling for his removal and prosecution. Smaller gatherings of Yoon’s supporters have also rallied, accusing the opposition of unconstitutional efforts to unseat the president.

Law enforcement authorities are investigating Yoon and key officials involved in the martial law decree. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is accused of proposing the decree, has been detained and is considered a central figure in the case. While in custody, Kim attempted suicide but was stabilized, according to the Justice Ministry.

Opposition Allegations

The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of staging riots that disrupted South Korea’s constitutional order and undermined peace in the Republic of Korea. It highlights his use of military and police forces to interfere with parliament and suggests that his martial law declaration was aimed at subverting democratic processes.

Yoon also faces scrutiny for ordering troops to the National Election Commission on the night of Dec. 3 to “check vulnerabilities” in its systems. Critics argue this reflects conspiracy-driven motives tied to the opposition’s sweeping victory in the April parliamentary elections.

What’s Next?

If the National Assembly passes the impeachment motion, Yoon’s presidential powers will be suspended while the Constitutional Court determines his fate. The court has 180 days to decide whether to restore his authority or remove him from office. If removed, South Korea must hold a new presidential election within 60 days.

Yoon’s potential impeachment and trial would mark a pivotal moment in South Korea’s political history, with significant implications for governance and public trust.