Yoon K-popped Out of Office

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been impeached following his controversial and short-lived martial law declaration, a decision that has thrust the nation into a deep political crisis. In a dramatic turn of events, the National Assembly voted 204 to 85 on Saturday to impeach Yoon, marking the second impeachment attempt within eight days. The motion passed with three abstentions and eight invalid votes.

The impeachment vote was conducted by secret ballot, with the support of two-thirds of the assembly required to oust Yoon. All 300 lawmakers participated, and the announcement of the result was met with audible gasps in the chamber. Outside the National Assembly, thousands of protesters cheered and applauded, reflecting the widespread public demand for accountability.

What Happens Next?

The impeachment automatically suspends Yoon from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court reviews the case. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of interim president. The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment or reinstate Yoon. If the court rules in favor of removal, Yoon would become the second South Korean president to be successfully impeached, following Park Geun-hye in 2016. The country would then hold a new presidential election to choose his successor, adding another layer of uncertainty to South Korea’s political future.

Shift in the People Power Party’s Stance

The conservative People Power Party (PPP), Yoon’s political base, initially boycotted the first impeachment vote, preventing a quorum. However, in a surprising shift, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon encouraged party members to participate in the second vote, despite the party’s official stance opposing Yoon’s impeachment. Ahead of the vote, at least seven PPP lawmakers openly declared their intention to support impeachment, ensuring the motion’s passage. This internal dissent highlights growing fractures within Yoon’s party, as even some conservatives distance themselves from the embattled president.

Public and Political Reactions

The impeachment has divided the nation, with an estimated 200,000 people gathering in Seoul for rival rallies both supporting and opposing Yoon. While the vote marks a significant political moment, it has not resolved the uncertainty gripping South Korea. At the National Assembly, Speaker Woo Won-shik underscored the gravity of the decision, declaring, “The weight of history is in our hands.” Opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae accused Yoon of being the “ringleader of the insurrection,” stating that impeachment was the only way to protect the constitution. Yoon, however, remains unapologetic and defiant. Despite the mounting criticism and a widening investigation into his administration, he has vowed to fight the impeachment in court.

Public Sentiment Turns Against Yoon

Yoon’s approval ratings have plummeted amid the scandal. A Gallup Korea poll released on Friday showed his approval at just 11%, a sharp decline from 19% in November before the martial law declaration. Meanwhile, 75% of South Koreans now support his impeachment, underscoring the public’s frustration with his leadership.

While the impeachment vote is a watershed moment, political uncertainty looms large. Pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon forces remain deeply entrenched, and the outcome of the Constitutional Court’s deliberations will determine the next chapter of this crisis. For now, South Korea’s democracy faces one of its toughest tests, as lawmakers, the judiciary, and the public grapple with the fallout of Yoon’s ill-fated power grab. The nation’s political stability, constitutional integrity, and future leadership hang in the balance.