S. Korean opposition to propose new impeachment Bill against Yoon

President clings to power after bid to impeach him fails on ruling party walkout

- Wendy Teo

SEOUL - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has managed to cling on to power for now, after an impeachment motion against him over the Dec 3 martial law debacle failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed for it to pass.

Tabled by the 192-member opposition bloc for voting on Dec 7, the motion needed eight more votes from ruling party lawmakers to meet the 200-vote quorum. But the motion fell short with 195 votes - 194 for, and one against, from a ruling party lawmaker.

All but three of the 108 ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotted the vote. They were determined to prevent Mr Yoon from being impeached as it would mean a snap presidential election, which the PPP would most likely lose.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who lost to Mr Yoon by a sliver of a margin in 2022, is widely tipped to win if a snap election is called.

The opposition Democratic Party of Korea said it will propose a new impeachment Bill against Mr Yoon on Dec 11, which will be put to a vote on Dec 14.

Two Bills were tabled on Dec 7, the first being a special counsel investigation into corruption allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Keon Hee, and the second was Mr Yoon's impeachment.

PPP lawmakers were seen leaving the plenary hall after voting on the first motion, evidently to abstain from voting on the impeachment motion.

The PPP lawmakers' departure prompted Speaker Woo Won-shik to declare in exasperation: "How do you think the people, the world, and history will view you not voting on the unjust martial law and its aftermath? Aren't you afraid of the judgment of history? Aren't you afraid of the judgment of the people? Aren't you afraid of the judgment of the world?"

The Speaker made repeated calls for their return, and eventually three returned to applause from the floor.