South Korean President Yoon Suk-yul was impeached by Parliament two weeks after a short-lived martial law decree

South Korea’s parliament filed the accusation on Saturday President Yoon Suk-yeol On amazing and The martial law decree is short-liveda move that ended days of political paralysis but sparked intense debate over Yoon’s fate, as jubilant crowds chanted to celebrate another defiant moment in the country’s resilient democracy.

The National Assembly approved the proposal by 204 votes to 85. Yoon’s presidential powers and duties were subsequently suspended, and Prime Minister Han Dak-soo, the country’s No. 2 official, assumed presidential powers later Saturday.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon as president or restore his powers. If he is removed from office, a national election must be held to choose his successor within 60 days.

This is the second vote in the National Assembly to impeach Yoon after ruling party lawmakers They boycotted voting on the first floor last Saturday. Some People Power lawmakers have since said they would vote to impeach Yoon as public protests intensify and his approval ratings decline.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, told reporters on Sunday that quick rule is the only way to reduce national chaos. Lee also said the Democratic Party would not seek to impeach Han, despite some calls to do so over his alleged failure to prevent Yoon from implementing martial law. Lee said there was no need to create more political uncertainty.

Lee also proposed the establishment of a National Council in which the government and the National Assembly would work together to stabilize state affairs. He said bipartisan cooperation is necessary to overcome the political paralysis that has halted high-level diplomacy and unnerved financial markets since Yoon’s martial law decree.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said Yoon’s impeachment was the result of the people’s “fierce desire for democracy, courage and dedication.”

The White House said in a statement on Saturday evening that President Biden spoke with Hahn after his impeachment.

“President Biden expressed his appreciation for the resilience of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea and reaffirmed the United States’ firm commitment to the people of the Republic of Korea,” the statement said.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near Parliament, chanting in joy, waving banners and waving colours. Kpop glow sticksWhile an activist on stage shouted: “We have preserved the constitutional order!”

Kim Soo-bong, one of the protesters, said: “The impeachment was carried out in line with the people’s demand and I hope that a decision to dismiss Yoon Suk-yeol will be issued as soon as possible.” “I am very happy and touched. I consider it a victory for the people.”

In a square in central Seoul, another large crowd gathered to support Yoon, but they became quiet after hearing he had been removed.

The Acting President is responsible for strengthening the security situation in the country

Yoon issued a statement saying he would “never give up” and called on officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a “temporary” pause in his presidency.

“I will carry with me all the criticism, encouragement and support directed at me, and I will continue to do my best for the country until the last moment,” Yoon said.

On December 3, Yoon imposed martial law, the first of its kind in more than four decades in South Korea. It only lasted six hoursBut it caused massive political unrest, halted diplomatic activities and shook financial markets. Yoon was forced to cancel his decree after Parliament voted unanimously to repeal it.

Han, the acting commander, ordered the military to strengthen its security posture to prevent North Korea from carrying out provocations through miscalculation. Han asked the Foreign Minister to inform other countries that South Korea’s main foreign policies have not changed, and also asked the Finance Minister to work to reduce potential negative impacts on the economy due to political unrest, according to Han’s office.

“I seriously ask this from public servants. At this moment, we have the crucial task of ensuring the normal and stable functioning of state affairs… I ask you to carry out your duties without any negligence to ensure that the government functions without wavering.” Hahn said in a televised statement.

Executive power in South Korea is concentrated in the hands of the president, but the prime minister leads the country if the president becomes incapacitated. Han is an experienced official who previously held a series of senior government positions such as Minister of Commerce and Minister of Finance. He also served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008.

US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg told X that the United States supports “South Korea’s democratic and constitutional process here and stands with its people.” Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters Saturday that Tokyo is closely monitoring developments in South Korea, but said that “the importance of relations between Japan and South Korea has not been affected.”

After declaring martial law, Yun Hundreds of troops and police officers They went to Parliament to try to obstruct its vote on the decree, before withdrawing after Parliament rejected Yoon’s decree. There were no major acts of violence.

Opposition parties accuse Yoon of rebellion, citing a law that classifies organizing riots against existing state authorities as rebellion, to undermine the constitution. They also say that South Korea’s president is only allowed to declare martial law in times of war or similar emergencies, and has no right to suspend parliamentary operations even under martial law.

The indictment alleged that Yoon “committed rebellion that disturbed the peace in the Republic of Korea by organizing a series of riots.” She said that Yoon’s mobilization of the military and police forces threatened the National Assembly and the public and that his martial law decree aimed to upset the constitution.

Yoon remains defiant

In a fiery speech on Thursday, Yoon rejected accusations of rebellion and described the imposition of martial law as an act of governance. Conservative Yoon said he aimed to issue a warning to the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, calling it a “monster” and “anti-state forces” that he said had flexed their legislative power to remove several senior officials and undermine the government’s budget bill. For next year. He claimed that the deployment of forces was aimed at maintaining order, not disrupting it.

Lee described Yoon’s speech as a “crazy declaration of war” against his own people.

Observers say Yoon’s speech indicates a focus on legal preparations to defend his martial law decree in the Constitutional Court, even as opinion polls show that more than 70% of South Koreans support his impeachment. A poll released on Friday showed Yoon’s approval rating at 11%, the lowest since he took office in 2022.

Some of Yoon’s claims do not tally with the testimony of some military commanders whose forces were deployed to the association.

Kwak Jong-kyun, commander of the Army’s Special Warfare Command, said Yoon told his troops to “quickly destroy the door and take out the lawmakers inside.” Kwak said he did not carry out Yoon’s order.

Yoon is the third South Korean president to be impeached while in office. In 2016, Parliament impeached Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, due to a corruption scandal. The Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment and removal from office.

In 2004, President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached in Parliament for alleged violation of the election law, but the court later overturned his impeachment and restored his presidential powers.

Yoon was banned from leaving South Korea. Yuen’s Defense Minister, the Police Chief, and two other high-ranking figures were arrested due to the introduction of martial law.

He enjoys the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution, but this does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. But observers doubt that the authorities will forcefully arrest him due to the possibility of clashes with the presidential security service to which he belongs.