South Korea’s National Assembly impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, following widespread backlash over his brief martial law decree. The move, which passed 204-85, ended a week of political paralysis but set the stage for a heated debate over Yoon’s future.
The impeachment immediately suspended Yoon’s presidential powers, transferring them to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the nation’s second-highest official. The Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to determine whether to permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. If dismissed, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.
The impeachment motion alleged Yoon “committed rebellion that hurt peace in the Republic of Korea” by deploying security forces to intimidate the Assembly and undermine the constitution.
Yoon defended his actions in a Thursday speech, calling the martial law decree an act of governance intended to maintain order. He accused the opposition Democratic Party of being “anti-state forces” and undermining his administration. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung responded by calling Yoon’s remarks “a mad declaration of war” against his own people.
This marks the third impeachment of a South Korean president. In 2016, Park Geun-hye was removed from office following a corruption scandal, while Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 impeachment was overturned by the Constitutional Court.
Although Yoon retains presidential immunity from most criminal charges, it does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. Authorities have already arrested Yoon’s defense minister, police chief, and two other officials connected to the martial law enforcement. Yoon himself has been banned from leaving the country.
