Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea president, steps aside after he was voted to be impeached.
SOUTH KOREA PRESIDENT Yoon Suk Yeol voted to be impeached by South Korean lawmakers following his martial law bid.
Thousands of people went out to the streets of South Korea’s capital on Saturday, December 14. They rallied against President Yoon Suk Yeol hours ahead of the impeachment vote over his failed martial law bid.
To recall, South Korea’s president declared martial law on December 3 with accusations against the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathizing with North Korea, and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.
Through an announcement, he vowed to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order”. This has failed and was lifted shortly. Yoon later apologized but defended his decision and resisted calls to leave his position.
This Saturday, out of 300 lawmakers, 204 voted to impeach the president, 85 voted against, three abstained, and eight votes nullified. Thousands on the streets of Seoul celebrated. While many South Koreans showed support for his removal, on the other side of Seoul near Gwanghwamun Square, thousands also rallied in support of Yoon.Han Duck-soo
The South Korean president survived the first one and clung to his position but not the second one. Following the result of votes which indicated his impeachment, he decided to “step aside”.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is now the nation’s interim leader.
Han Duck-soo became South Korea’s acting president after Saturday’s impeachment of Yoon. This was implemented after the impeachment vote was passed due to the failed attempt to impose martial law.
He is suspended from exercising presidential powers and it is in the country’s constitution for the prime minister to take over in an acting role.
What can you say about this? Let us know in the comments!