By Summary
- Short-lived martial law shocked nation.
- Yoon apologized but later defended move as protecting democracy.
- 204 lawmakers supported impeachment.
- Prime Minister Han vows to maintain stability.
SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 14 (AfrikTimes) – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday in a second vote by the opposition-led parliament, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law last week—a move that stunned the nation and fractured his party.
South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik bangs the gavel to pass the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at a plenary session of the body in Seoul on Saturday. Lawmakers voted 204-85 to remove Yoon from office over his failed attempt to impose martial law last week.
A banner reading ‘Step down Yoon Suk Yeol regime’ flutters in the air as people participate in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, December 14, 2024 (below). 
Under the South Korean constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, appointed by Yoon, has assumed the role of acting president. While Yoon remains in office, his presidential powers are suspended. Han assured the public of his commitment to maintaining governmental stability during this period. “I will devote all my efforts to stabilizing the government,” Han told reporters.
Yoon is now the second conservative president in a row to be impeached in South Korea. Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017. Yoon survived a first impeachment vote last weekend, when members of his party boycotted, denying the assembly the quorum needed to proceed.
Following the announcement of Yoon’s impeachment, jubilant protesters near parliament celebrated with colorful LED sticks and lively music. Meanwhile, a rally of Yoon’s supporters quickly dispersed upon hearing the news.
Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, speaks during the plenary session for the impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, Dec.14, 2024. The main opposition Democratic Party submitted a second impeachment motion of Yoon, following his controversial declaration of martial law which sparked widespread public outrage and political turmoil. The impeachment vote requires the backing of eight members of the ruling People Power Party to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to pass.
South Korean lawmakers during a plenary session of the impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, Dec.14, 2024 (below).
The impeachment motion succeeded after at least 12 members of Yoon’s People Power Party joined forces with opposition lawmakers, who control 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for impeachment.
Protesters from conservative groups attend a rally supporting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, and denouncing opposition party’s politicians in Seoul, South Korea, December 14, 2024.
Protesters take part in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, near the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, South Korea, December 13, 2024 (below). 
The crisis began on December 3 when Yoon stunned the nation by granting the military sweeping emergency powers to address what he described as “anti-state forces” and to counteract obstructionist political opponents. Although he rescinded the decree just six hours later, following a parliamentary vote that defied troops and police, the move plunged the country into a constitutional crisis. The incident sparked widespread demands for his resignation, with critics accusing him of violating the law.
Yoon later apologized to the nation but defended his decision and resisted calls to resign. Opposition parties launched the fresh impeachment vote, with large demonstrations supporting impeachment.
Yoon is also under criminal investigation for alleged insurrection over the martial law declaration and authorities have banned him from travelling overseas. In a defiant speech on Thursday, Yoon vowed to “fight to the end”, defending his martial law decree as necessary to overcome political deadlock and protect the country from domestic politicians who he said were undermining democracy.
Protesters participate in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, December 14, 2024.
