South Korean parliament votes to impeach president

Yoon Suk Yeol insists that his suspension will be 'temporary'

- NAMITA SINGH

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached yesterday through a second vote in parliament after his short-lived attempt last week to impose martial law.

The martial law decree threw the nation into chaos and split the president’s party. The National Assembly approved the impeachment motion with a 204-85 floor vote.

Mr Yoon was suspended from official duties at 7.24pm local time, reported the Yonhap news agency. The president said he will “never give up” and called for officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a “temporary” pause in his presidency.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Mr Yoon from office or reinstate him. Should he be ousted, a national election will be required within 60 days to elect his successor.

South Korea’s prime minister Han Duk Soo said he would do his best to run the government stably after the impeachment of Mr Yoon. “My heart is very heavy,” Mr Han, who becomes acting president with Mr Yoon’s powers suspended, told reporters after parliament approved the impeachment motion.

Last Saturday, Mr Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a majority of ruling party politicians abstained. Public discontent has intensified in recent weeks, with protests growing larger and Mr Yoon’s approval ratings plummeting.