South Korea President Yoon’s Impeachment Motion Fails, Sparks Massive Protests In Seoul

South Korea's motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol failed due to boycott by his party, sparking protests and deepening political instability.

File Photo of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol

Source : X/Yoon Suk Yeol

A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law failed in the National Assembly on Saturday, as lawmakers from his ruling conservative party, the People Power Party (PPP), largely boycotted the vote. The outcome is likely to fuel public protests and deepen political instability in the country.  

Impeachment required the support of 200 out of 300 members of the National Assembly. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, controls 192 seats but needed additional backing from the ruling party. Only three PPP lawmakers participated in the vote, which was ultimately scrapped without ballot counting due to insufficient votes, news agency AP reported.  

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik expressed regret, stating, “The failure to hold a qualified vote on this matter means we were not even able to exercise the democratic procedure of deciding on a critical national issue.” He called it an “embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy.”  

South Korea: Protests In Seoul After Failed Impeachment Motion

The failed motion has sparked massive protests in Seoul, with tens of thousands gathering near the National Assembly and the PPP headquarters, demanding Yoon’s ouster, as per AP's report. Protesters waved banners, chanted slogans, and sang modified K-pop songs critical of the president. Meanwhile, smaller rallies of Yoon’s supporters decried the impeachment attempt as unconstitutional.  

Yoon, who has faced plummeting approval ratings since taking office in 2022, issued a public apology on Saturday for the martial law declaration, stating: “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologise to the people.” He promised to avoid such actions in the future.  

Yoon’s martial law declaration on Tuesday night saw special forces surrounding the parliament building and military helicopters hovering above. However, the National Assembly swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order by daybreak Wednesday. This marked the first imposition of martial law in South Korea in over four decades.  

During the brief period of martial law, allegations surfaced that Yoon ordered defence counterintelligence units to detain key politicians accused of “anti-state activities.” Lawmakers were informed in a closed-door briefing by Hong Jang-won, deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, that Yoon directed arrests of figures including PPP chair Han Dong-hun, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and Speaker Woo Won Shik, the report stated.  

The South Korean Defence Ministry confirmed it had suspended three military commanders, including the head of the counterintelligence unit, for their roles in enforcing martial law. Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, accused of recommending martial law, resigned on Thursday and is now barred from leaving the country amid ongoing investigations.  

South Korea: Future Uncertain For Yoon  

Speculation is growing over Yoon’s ability to complete his remaining 2.5 years in office. Experts suggest that if public demands for his impeachment intensify, some ruling party lawmakers might support renewed efforts to remove him.  

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung criticised Yoon’s apology, stating, “The only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment”, as quoted by AP. The opposition has labelled the martial law as an “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.”  

Despite the ruling party’s formal opposition to impeachment, its chair Han Dong-hun criticised Yoon’s actions and revealed intelligence suggesting Yoon sought to arrest political figures during martial law. Opposition lawmakers have indicated plans to submit a new impeachment motion in the upcoming parliamentary session.