Protests Erupt As President Is Impeached By Lawmakers

South Korea’s political landscape has been shaken after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by lawmakers following the deep division in his party that prompted the move.

The unprecedented decision followed Yoon’s refusal to step down after his contentious declaration of martial law, sparking widespread political and public outrage.

According to reports, the parliamentary vote held on Saturday saw 204 lawmakers supporting the motion to impeach the president, while 85 voted against it. The impeachment immediately suspends Yoon’s powers as president, pending a final decision from South Korea’s Constitutional Court. This situation mirrors a similar case from less than a decade ago, where another South Korean leader faced impeachment.

The crisis came to a head on December 3, when Yoon declared martial law and ordered troops to the National Assembly. Lawmakers were forced to break through the military presence to gain access to the chamber, where they quickly overturned the president’s decree. This dramatic act of defiance fueled public anger and increased calls for Yoon’s resignation.

Despite the growing unrest, Yoon refused to step down. Opposition parties initially sought to impeach him a week earlier, but their efforts failed due to a boycott by members of his ruling People Power Party. Party leaders had hoped Yoon would voluntarily resign, avoiding further conflict.

In a defiant address delivered last Thursday, Yoon defended his actions, accusing opposition leaders of undermining his efforts to protect the nation. “I will fight until the last moment with the people,” he declared, insisting that his martial law decision was necessary for the country’s safety. His refusal to compromise deepened divisions within the ruling party and alienated key allies.

The turning point came when the leader of Yoon’s own party publicly reversed his stance, calling for impeachment and urging lawmakers to vote with their conscience. “We must act to protect democracy,” he stated, a plea that significantly influenced the outcome of the parliamentary vote.

As lawmakers prepared for the historic vote, thousands of protesters braved the cold in Seoul, demanding Yoon’s resignation. Their calls for change reflected growing discontent among the public and further isolated the president from his political base.

With the impeachment process now in motion, the Constitutional Court will determine whether Yoon will be permanently removed from office. Until then, South Korea remains in a state of political uncertainty, with the nation watching closely as the court deliberates this landmark case.

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