13-12-2024 (SEOUL) A second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was submitted to the National Assembly Friday, as the nation grapples with the fallout from his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month.
The unprecedented move comes amid growing public outcry over President Yoon’s 3rd December martial law implementation, which has plunged the country into its most severe constitutional crisis in recent memory.
Despite mounting pressure, Yoon remains steadfast in his position. Speaking at a press conference Thursday, he defended his actions, asserting that the martial law declaration fell “within the scope of executive powers” and vowed to “fight until the final moment.”
The Democratic Party (DP), South Korea’s main opposition force, has accelerated the voting timeline, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik bringing forward the ballot to 4 pm Saturday, an hour earlier than initially planned.
In a direct appeal to ruling party members, DP leader Lee Jae-myung emphasised that impeachment represents the “swiftest and most definitive path to resolve the current turmoil.” The motion’s success hinges on securing support from at least eight ruling party lawmakers, with seven having already publicly pledged their backing.
This second impeachment attempt follows last Saturday’s failed bid, which collapsed when ruling party members largely abstained from voting. The revised motion specifically addresses allegations that martial law forces and police attempted to detain parliamentarians under presidential direction, though notably excludes previous accusations against first lady Kim Keon Hee regarding stock manipulation and electoral interference.
Public sentiment appears increasingly aligned against the president, with a recent Gallup Korea poll of 1,002 adults showing Yoon’s approval ratings plummeting to an historic low of 11 percent. The survey revealed overwhelming support for impeachment, with 75 percent in favour and 21 percent opposed.
Should the motion pass, the Constitutional Court will determine the president’s fate. A ruling against Yoon would mark only the second successful presidential impeachment in South Korean history, following Park Geun-hye’s removal in 2017.
Under South Korean law, impeachment motions must be voted upon between 24 and 72 hours after their submission to a plenary session. The Democratic Party has committed to pursuing weekly impeachment attempts until successful.
