LAGOS: On December 14, 2024, South Korean lawmakers impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3, 2024. The impeachment vote saw 204 lawmakers voting in favor, with 85 opposing, and three abstaining.
Yoon’s impeachment stems from accusations of insurrection, and as a result, he has been suspended from office while the Constitutional Court deliberates on the matter. The court has 180 days to decide on Yoon’s future.
The impeachment vote was highly divisive, with massive rallies taking place in Seoul both in support and against Yoon. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, celebrated the vote as a “great victory of the people,” stating that it was necessary to safeguard South Korea’s democracy and Constitution.
On the other hand, Yoon’s supporters, numbering around 30,000, rallied near Gwanghwamun Square, voicing strong support for his leadership and claiming that his decision to declare martial law was justified. Yoon himself vowed to continue fighting and suggested the opposition was in collusion with communist elements.
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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been named the interim leader of South Korea until the court reaches its decision. The impeachment has sparked significant public interest, with many people from across the country attending the protests, and even K-pop singer Yuri from Girls’ Generation offering her support to the opposition.
