South Korea lawmakers vote to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol
South Korea’s lawmakers have voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated attempt to impose martial law, which sparked massive protests across the country.
A total of 204 MPs supported the motion, including some from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) – though the decision still needs be ratified by the constitutional court.
Following days of public pressure the PPP had decided to let its lawmakers vote, after an effort to impeach Yoon last week failed when its lawmakers boycotted the hearing.
Thousands of anti-Yoon protesters celebrated outside the National Assembly on Saturday evening after the impeachment motion passed, with the crowd singing as fireworks broke out overhead.
“To the people, we hope your end of year will be a little happier now, and all your cancelled year-end celebrations to be restored,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, as he announced the result.
“The future of the Republic of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people, our hope is strong,” said Woo, a member of the main opposition Democratic Party.
There has been strong public support for Yoon’s impeachment – recent polls found three-quarters of South Koreans wanted to see him go.
The constitutional court now has 180 days to rule on whether Yoon should be impeached or restored. If it rules to impeach, an election for the next president must be called within 60 days.
Yoon has been suspended while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as acting president.
However, Han and the finance minister Choi Sang-mok, who is next in line for the presidency, are both involved in an ongoing police probe over last week’s events.
In a statement following the vote, Yoon said he is “temporarily stopping my journey” but that he “will never give up”.
“I will take your criticism, praise, and support to the heart and do my best for the country until the end,” he said.
