South Korea’s National Assembly failed to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol as his party boycotted the vote. Opposition members sought his removal after Yoon briefly imposed martial law, sparking nationwide protests.
The martial law declaration, criticized even by Yoon’s conservative People’s Power Party (PPP), caused widespread anger. Despite this, PPP lawmakers opposed impeachment, fearing liberals might win the presidency. On Saturday, only three PPP members supported the opposition-led impeachment vote, which required 200 participants to succeed. Falling short, the motion was canceled at midnight.
The opposition, holding 192 seats in the 300-member assembly, remains eight votes short of the needed two-thirds majority. A new impeachment motion could follow during the next session starting Wednesday.
Public Outcry and Political Turmoil
Yoon addressed the nation Saturday, apologizing hours before the failed impeachment vote. He promised to face legal consequences and denied plans for further martial law orders. Seeking to calm tensions, he instructed his party to stabilize the political situation, even allowing them to decide on his term.
Yoon briefly imposed martial law Tuesday, citing threats from “anti-state forces” and accusing the liberal Democratic Party of supporting North Korea. He reversed the decision six hours later when 190 lawmakers entered parliament and overturned the decree.
Opposition parties condemned Yoon’s actions as an unconstitutional coup and demanded his removal. If impeached, his powers would be suspended until the Constitutional Court rules on his case. A removal would trigger a new presidential election within 60 days.
Surveys show public support for Yoon’s impeachment, while his actions intensify political chaos in South Korea.