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| Image: Yonhap |
On Saturday, the South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol in a contentious decision that has deeply divided the nation. The impeachment bill passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes.
The announcement triggered contrasting reactions across the capital. Thousands of citizens celebrated outside the National Assembly compound, while elsewhere, President Yoon's supporters protested vehemently, expressing their anger over the decision.
In a televised address following the vote, President Yoon declared, “I vow to do my best for South Korea until the end.” The constitutional court now has up to six months to decide his fate—whether to reinstate him or formally remove him from office. During this interim period, Prime Minister Han Duk-su will assume presidential duties.
Adding to the political crisis, the opposition Democratic Party has accused Prime Minister Han of failing to prevent President Yoon from imposing a six-hour emergency martial law and is seeking his impeachment as well. Furthermore, they are pursuing criminal charges against President Yoon for alleged insurrection, a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment in South Korea.
Authorities have already detained key officials, including the Defense Minister, the chief of the National Police, the head of the Metropolitan Police, and the military counterintelligence commander, for their roles in the purported insurrection.
This political upheaval marks a critical moment in South Korea’s history, with the nation waiting anxiously for the constitutional court’s verdict and the potential ramifications of the ongoing investigations.
