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South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol early Saturday morning, after a brief decree of martial law push the country into temporary political danger.
The motion to impeach Yoon passed on a 204-85 vote, The Associated Press (AP) informed. Now, with the success of the impeachment vote, the president’s powers will, for the time being, be handed over to South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
The nation’s Constitutional Court is now tasked with making a decision on whether Yoon should be removed from office officially If so, the election will be held within 60 days, according to AP.
A first attempt to impeach Yoon failed last weekend after the opposition party it did not garner enough votes, with some members of the ruling party walking out and preventing the coalition from moving forward. Opposition leaders in South Korea’s National Assembly slammed the sitting president, who declared emergency martial law earlier this month, criticizing parliament for being a “den for criminals” .
His announcement spurred protests outside the halls of parliament, where lawmakers fought through protesters to meet and pass the demand. opposing Yoon’s mandate. The 190 members who took part in the vote moved to block the declaration.
The president finished apologizing for his decision and pledged not to repeat the move.
“I’m very sorry and I sincerely apologize to the people who may have been surprised,” he said at the time. “I will not shy away from the question of legal and political responsibility in relation to the declaration of martial law.”
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik praised the successful impeachment as “the people’s burning desire for democracy, courage and dedication,” AP reported.
After the vote, Yoon argued that he will “never give up” and called on officials to preserve government stability amid the “temporary” halt in his tenure.
“I will take with me all the criticism, encouragement and support directed at me, and I will continue to do my best for the country until the last moment,” Yoon said in a statement, according to the news wire.
The Associated Press contributed to the report.
