SOUTH Korea has voted to impeach President Yoon over his controversial martial law declaration that sparked mass protests in the country.
MPs finally voted to oust Yoon Suk Yeol on their second attempt, after the leader’s disastrous decree that only lasted six hours on 3 December.
Martial law was declared by President Yoon in a shock television address at 11pm on 3 December local time.
He told South Koreans he needed to free the country from North Korean forces trying to “paralyse the essential functions of the state”.
He announced the implementation of martial law to safeguard the Republic of Korea from the menace posed by North Korean communist forces, eliminate the hateful pro-North Korean groups that are jeopardizing the liberty and well-being of the citizens, and uphold the democratic principles of the country.
Analysts described Yoon’s decision as a “last ditch attempt” by a “lame duck president” to push his agenda through.
His decision led to chaos, as Seoul residents turned up to the parliament and protested – forming a human shield against heavily armed troops as they tried to seize the parliament.
The leader made a dramatic U-turn just six hours after, as members of his own party slammed his decision, but he survived an immediate impeachment vote.
Lawmakers successfully voted on Saturday, in a second attempt, to remove Yoon from office after his spectacular martial law U-turn last week.
204 out of 300 cast their votes to remove the leader on allegations of insurrection, while 85 voted against.
This meant members of his own People Power Party voted against the leader, despite the group boycotting the first vote.
The leader of the PPP, Han Dong-hoon, urged members to vote for impeachment this time.
Yoon declared he would “not give up” despite the vote and called for officials to maintain government stability.
He said: “Holding in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me, I will do my best for the country until the very last moment.”
Yoon is now suspended from office while the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to restore the controversial leader or finalise the decision.
He could become the second South Korean president to be successfully impeached, if the courts uphold parliament’s vote.
Yoon has also been separately placed under criminal investigation over the alleged insurrection.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been appointed as the country’s acting president.
The nation’s main opposition party hailed the president’s impeachment as a win for South Koreans.
Park Chan-dae said: “Today’s impeachment is the great victory of the people.”
What is martial law?
MARTIAL law is the temporary replacement of a civilian government with military rule – typically during war or major disasters.
Historically, it has been brought in after coups, during protests, to suppress political dissent or stabilise insurrections.
It involves the military taking control of the normal legal system and control of civilians.
Ordinary laws and civil liberties may be suspended under martial law.
It is a drastic measure with significant implications for individual freedoms and the rule of law.
While it’s meant to be temporary, martial law can be indefinite.
SCANDAL AND CONTROVERSY
Yoon’s brief two years in power have been marred with personal and political scandals.
He narrowly won the 2022 election but his approval ratings slowly bombed during his term in power.
His wife Kim Keon Hee became embroiled in a scandal after she was accused of influence peddling.
The couple were alleged to have improperly influenced the People Power Party’s candidate selection for the 2022 parliamentary by-election, which Yoon denied.
They were also accused of being under the influence of an unknown unelected power broker who – through Yoon – was exercising power on party affairs.
Despite the president’s strong denial, his approval rating plummeted to below 20%.
Their problems did not stop there as a handbag scandal engulfed the president’s wife.
Kim Keon Hee sparked outrage after she was caught allegedly accepting a 3m won (£1,800) luxury Dior handbag from a supporter.
The president also provoked anger when he refused to fire top officials after a 2022 Halloween night disaster, in which 159 people were killed, he was accused of protecting his “yes men”.
Yoon, the former prosecutor famous for investigating corruption cases, had become embroiled in his own scandals.
Despite stating his martial law decree was to root out supposed North Korean influence, many believed this move was made to protect himself.
