South Korea: Major Opposition Celebrates Passage of Yoon's Impeachment Motion as a Triumph for Citizens and Democracy
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Seoul, Dec 14 (NationPress) The prominent Opposition party in South Korea, the Democratic Party (DP), expressed its approval on Saturday regarding the National Assembly's decision to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law, labeling it a victory for the people.
DP floor leader Park Chan-dae made this statement while addressing reporters post-vote, extending gratitude to all supporters of Yoon's impeachment.
"We achieved a historic victory for democracy, thanks to everyone who gathered before the National Assembly, passionately advocating for the protection of the Constitution and democracy," he remarked.
He emphasized that Yoon's impeachment represents 'only the first step' in addressing the consequences of Yoon's December 3 martial law declaration and pledged to pursue a comprehensive investigation into Yoon and other 'accomplices of the insurrection.''
He also mentioned that the DP would diligently work to establish a special counsel to probe into Yoon's actions.
In the meantime, the National Assembly of South Korea voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol regarding his inadequate martial law implementation.
Yoon is set to be suspended from his duties as soon as the impeachment resolution is sent to his office, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepping in as Acting President, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The impeachment motion against Yoon passed with a count of 204-85, including three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, with all 300 lawmakers participating in the voting process.
Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law decree, which marked the first of its kind in over forty years, lasted merely six hours but resulted in considerable political upheaval, disrupted diplomatic relations, and unsettled financial markets.
Following a unanimous parliamentary vote to rescind it, Yoon was forced to withdraw the decree. In the aftermath of the martial law announcement, he stationed hundreds of troops and police officers at the parliament in an attempt to hinder the vote on the decree; however, they retreated once parliament rejected it.
In a speech on Thursday, Yoon rejected accusations of rebellion, defending his martial law declaration as a necessary governance strategy. The conservative president contended that his actions were aimed at warning the liberal Opposition Democratic Party, which he described as 'a monster' and 'anti-state forces. '
"I will fight to the end to thwart the forces and criminal groups responsible for paralyzing the country’s government and undermining the nation’s constitutional order from jeopardizing the future of the Republic of Korea," Yoon declared.
In response, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung denounced Yoon's statements as a 'mad declaration of war' against the South Korean populace.
Yoon now stands as the second president to face impeachment proceedings. Following the motion's approval, the Constitutional Court will determine whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him permanently. He follows the path of Park Geun-hye, who was ousted in 2017.
Park Geun-hye, who assumed office in 2013, faced parliamentary impeachment, which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court in March 2017, leading to her prosecution and subsequent imprisonment. She was also accused of leaking classified information, maintaining a list of artists who criticized her policies, and dismissing officials who opposed her decisions.
