South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law

South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law, sparking massive protests across the country.

He was suspended after some members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) voted in favor of the opposition – although the decision still needs to be ratified by the constitutional court.

Thousands of anti-Yoon protesters celebrated outside the National Assembly on Saturday night after the impeachment motion was passed, the crowd singing as fireworks exploded overhead.

Yoon has vowed to keep fighting and said he “will never give up”, describing the vote as a temporary pause in his presidency.

Yoon added: “I will remember your criticism, praise and support and do my best for the country until the end.”

His defiant words were a marked change from his apologetic tone earlier this month. briefly declared martial law.

Yoon has tried to impose military rule after months of political deadlock, saying it was necessary to stop alleged North Korean efforts to weaken his government – but the claim was rejected. MPs rejected it after several hours.

There has been strong public support for Yoon’s impeachment, with recent polls showing three-quarters of South Koreans want him gone.

After days of public pressure, the PPP decided to let its lawmakers vote on the proposal, after a period of Yoon’s impeachment effort last week failed when lawmakers boycotted the hearing.

On Saturday, the impeachment motion reached the two-thirds threshold needed for passage after 12 members of Yoon’s party voted in favor.

“To the people, we hope your year-end days are a little happier and all year-end celebrations are canceled,” National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said when announcing the results. Yours will be restored.”

Woo, a member of the main opposition Democratic Party, added: “The future of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people, our hope is strong.”

The constitutional court now has 180 days to rule on whether Yoon’s impeachment should stay or whether he can return to office. If the verdict is in favor of impeachment, the next presidential election must be held within 60 days.

Yoon was suspended while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over as president.

Han said his focus is “stabilizing the situation” and “bringing normality to the people”.

However, both Han and finance minister Choi Sang-mok, next in line for the presidency, are participating in the ongoing police investigation into last week’s events.

Outside the National Assembly, where tens of thousands of protesters gathered throughout the day despite the bitter cold, people hailed the vote as a victory for democracy and expressed their determination to want Mr. Yoon to permanently leave office. department.

“I’m happy that the bill has passed… At the same time, the fight is not over yet,” physiotherapist Sim Hee-seon told the BBC as she wiped away tears.

“We will have to wait for the court’s final decision on his impeachment. We will continue to monitor.”

Two women dressed in Rudolf costumes held a sign that read: “[It will be] a Merry Christmas only if Yoon Seok Yul disappears”.

Across town at a pro-Yoon rally in Gwanghwamun Square, it was a different story. His supporters were silent after hearing about the vote. Some people uttered angry insults before leaving the scene.

The success of the vote depends on support from the PPP, as opposition lawmakers suggested just eight more people were needed to join them. Last Saturday, when the opposition first tried to impeach Yoon, they failed by just a few votes when the PPP staged a strike.

On Saturday, the party held a marathon meeting that started at 10 a.m. and lasted just minutes before the voting session began, as PPP lawmakers struggled to reach consensus on their stance. party.

Ultimately, the party agreed to participate and allow their lawmakers to vote according to their conscience. It looked like at least 12 of them had crossed the floor. Another 85 voted against impeachment.

South Korea has faced nearly two weeks of chaos and unrest since Yoon’s brief attempt to impose martial law late last Tuesday.

Yoon cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea but it quickly became clear that his move was motivated by his own domestic political troubles and not by external threats.

Hours later, he reversed the order after 190 lawmakers voted against it, many of them climbing fences and breaking barriers to enter the voting booth.

Yoon later apologized but on Thursday he defended his actions, saying he sought to protect the country’s democracy and vowed to “fight to the end”.

That speech excited people and the president’s approval rating fell to a record low of 11 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll.

Impeaching a president is not uncommon territory for South Korea, which last removed former president Park Geun-hye through the process in 2016.

Yoon – then a prosecutor – led the investigation against Park, which eventually led to her impeachment.

Additional reporting by Leehyun Choi, Jake Kwon and Yuna Ku in Seoul