The National Assembly approved the impeachment motion with a 204 to 85 vote.
South Korea’s parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for briefly imposing martial law last week.
The National Assembly voted 204-85 in favor of the impeachment on Saturday, exceeding the necessary 200 votes.
All 300 assembly members participated in the secret ballot; three abstained, and eight votes were invalid.
Yoon’s impeachment automatically suspends him from office. The Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide on his permanent removal.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president during this period.
“This is a victory for the South Korean people and for democracy,” stated Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, following the vote.
Yoon survived a previous impeachment attempt last Saturday due to a boycott by his People Power Party (PPP).
However, the PPP reversed its position this week after failing to convince Yoon to resign.
“We sought alternatives to impeachment, but they proved unfeasible,” explained party leader Han Dong-hoon. “Impeachment, for now, is the only way to uphold democracy and the republic.”
The political crisis began December 3rd when Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law, alleging that the opposition, accused of North Korea sympathies, was plotting a “rebellion.”
Within hours, 190 lawmakers, who bypassed military blockades to reach the National Assembly, unanimously overturned the decree. Widespread public protests condemned the president’s actions.
Less than six hours after imposing it, the president rescinded the martial law declaration.
In a Thursday address, Yoon, who faces an investigation for potential insurrection, defended his actions as a “carefully considered political decision” to “protect the nation” from the opposition’s alleged attempts to obstruct government operations.
“I will remain resolute, whether impeached or investigated. I will fight to the end,” the president declared.
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