Its parliament moved to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol after the Dec. 3 fiasco when he tried to declare martial law, a measure he was forced to withdraw six hours later, paving the way for a months-long process that could lead to the election of a new leader, in one of the country’s most turbulent periods in recent years.
With the necessary two-thirds majority, lawmakers voted, immediately stripping Yun of executive powers. Three MPs were absent and eight and eight ballots were invalid.
“Although I am stopping for now, the journey into the future that I have been on for the past two and a half years must never stop. I will never give up. I will take your criticism, praise and support seriously and do my best for the country until the end,” were Yun’s first words after the result.
The result of the vote was welcomed by the opposition. “Today’s impeachment is a great victory for the people and democracy,” said Park Chan-dae, head of the Democratic Party’s caucus.
Who will exercise their duties?
A previous impeachment attempt failed last week. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, a Harvard-educated former ambassador to the US, will serve as interim president.
Yun, about halfway through his five-year term that ends in 2027, will not be permanently removed from office unless the country’s Constitutional Court upholds the decision. The court has up to six months to rule, although it has moved more quickly in the past. If the impeachment is upheld, a snap election would be held within 60 days.
The favorite for the elections
The favorite in a possible election is Lee Jae-myung, Yoon’s main rival and head of the center-left Democratic Party, which led the ouster effort. A recent poll placed him at 52%, with the leading conservative candidate at just 10%. Lee is expected to bring a different approach to foreign policy, seeking dialogue with North Korea, greater independence from the US, balanced relations with China and a tougher stance on Japan.
Since taking office in 2022, Yun has revitalized diplomacy with Tokyo, deepened ties with the Biden administration and forged unprecedented military cooperation between the US, Japan and South Korea.
Last week, lawmakers from Yun’s ruling party walked out of the chamber. However, pressure on Yun grew as his stance became more defiant, with him declaring in a taped message that he would “fight to the end”. Eventually, several members of his party supported the impeachment motion.
Yun said he imposed martial law on December 3 out of desperation, to warn the public of a “catastrophic crisis” underway in the country. At the same time, he accused the opposition of playing political games, blocking bills and targeting high-ranking officials. He argued that his political enemies made South Korea vulnerable to “communist forces” from North Korea.
Over 90% wanted Yun removed
More than 90% of South Koreans wanted Yun removed, according to polls. In another survey, Yun’s popularity plummeted to 11%.
Yoon becomes the third South Korean president to be deposed.
In 2004, Roh Moo-hyun was accused of violating election laws, but returned to power after two months. In 2016, Park Geun-hye was ousted over a corruption scandal, with the court upholding the decision after three months.
The process is expected to be completed by mid-March
Compared to Park’s case, the legal basis for Yoon’s impeachment seems clearer. The process is expected to be completed by mid-March, due to the end of the terms of some judges in April.
Political instability has caused stock markets to fall, the currency to weaken and diplomacy to paralyze.
South Korea, a close US ally, has come a long way from military rule in the 1980s, with citizens proud of their transition to democracy. Yun’s decision to impose martial law sent shockwaves through even top officials in his own administration and surprised the Biden administration, which admitted it had not been notified in advance.
Yun’s ouster is expected to calm down and clarify who is in charge of governing. However, the opposition blames both Yun’s party and Prime Minister Khan, while investigations into the imposition of martial law continue, with Khan saying he is willing to cooperate with authorities.
