South Korea Faces Uncertainty After President Yoon’s Impeachment
South Korea is entering a period of political uncertainty following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. On Saturday, the nation’s parliament passed the impeachment motion with 204 votes in favor and 85 against, marking only the second time a South Korean president has been impeached.
The impeachment motion had been dropped a week earlier due to a boycott by most of the ruling party members, but the renewed effort succeeded, suspending President Yoon’s duties immediately upon passage. An impeachment resolution has been delivered to the President’s Office and the Constitutional Court.
Prime Minister Takes Over as Acting President
With President Yoon suspended, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has stepped in as acting president until the Constitutional Court renders its decision on the impeachment. Han has pledged to ensure that the government operates smoothly during this transitional period.
“I will work tirelessly to maintain stability and continuity in governance,” Han stated on Saturday. However, Han himself, along with several cabinet members, faces accusations of involvement in President Yoon’s controversial attempt to declare martial law on December 3.
The Constitutional Court’s Role
The Constitutional Court is set to begin reviewing the impeachment case starting Monday. Acting head Moon Hyung-bae has promised a fair and swift process. The court has up to 180 days to decide but has ruled more quickly in past cases. In 2017, former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment was upheld in 63 days, leading to her removal from office, while in 2004, late President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated after 91 days.
To remove President Yoon from office, at least six out of the nine Constitutional Court judges must approve the impeachment. Currently, with only six judges seated, a unanimous decision would be required. The Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, has announced plans to fill the vacant judge positions promptly.
Opposition Calls for Further Action
Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, hailed the impeachment as “just the beginning.” He pledged to pursue a thorough investigation into President Yoon and what he termed “accomplices of the insurrection.”
The Democratic Party has accused President Yoon of attempting to undermine the nation’s democracy by trying to impose martial law in response to political opposition, an action they consider an insurrection against the state.
President Yoon’s Defense
In response to the impeachment, President Yoon addressed the nation in a televised speech, expressing his commitment to the country and vowing not to give up. He argued that his decision to consider martial law was an act within his constitutional powers intended to protect the nation against what he described as a “legislative dictatorship” by the majority opposition.
Legal experts suggest that President Yoon may base his defense on the argument that declaring martial law falls within the scope of his constitutional authority and does not constitute an illegal act or insurrection. He also maintained that deploying troops to the National Assembly was aimed at maintaining order rather than dissolving or paralyzing the legislature.
Public Reaction and Moving Forward
The impeachment has sparked widespread debate across South Korea. According to a recent Gallup Korea poll, President Yoon’s approval rating has dropped by five percentage points in the past week, falling to 11 percent—the lowest since he took office.
As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliberate, the nation awaits its decision, which will determine whether a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days or if President Yoon will be reinstated. In the meantime, South Koreans are grappling with the implications of this political upheaval on the country’s future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
