South Korea President Yoon Faces Second Impeachment Vote Over Martial Law Decree
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a second impeachment motion over his controversial martial law decree. Parliament votes amid growing protests and internal dissent within his party.
Deccan Freedom News
South Korea President Yoon Faces Second Impeachment Vote Over Martial Law Decree
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is at the center of political turmoil as a second impeachment motion against him is set to be debated on Saturday. The controversy stems from his martial law decree, which aimed to address a political impasse but instead triggered widespread public outrage and division within his ruling People Power Party (PPP).
The opposition-controlled parliament rejected Yoon's decree, accusing him of violating the law and demanding his impeachment. The impeachment vote is scheduled for 4 p.m., with nationwide protests expected. Internal dissent within the PPP is mounting, with at least seven of its lawmakers expressing support for the motion.
The main opposition Democratic Party, which holds 192 of the 300 parliamentary seats, requires eight PPP votes to achieve the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment. Describing Yoon’s decree as "madness," the Democratic Party warned that blocking impeachment would amount to “treason against the people.”
If the motion succeeds, President Yoon will be stripped of his authority while the Constitutional Court reviews the case. During this interim period, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take over as acting president. Simultaneously, Yoon faces a separate investigation for alleged insurrection linked to the martial law declaration.
Defending his actions in a Thursday speech, Yoon argued that the decree was necessary to protect democracy against "anti-state forces," vowing to "fight to the end." However, public opinion remains largely against him, with a Gallup Korea poll showing 75% of respondents supporting impeachment.
The crisis has sparked large-scale protests, some supported by K-pop celebrities, who have contributed food and drinks to demonstrators. The controversy has also drawn attention to strained relations between Yoon and opposition lawmakers, as well as concerns over press freedom.
South Korea’s democratic reputation has been tarnished amid the escalating political and economic uncertainty caused by the impeachment proceedings.
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