A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial declaration of martial law failed after members of his party boycotted the vote.
The walkout on Saturday prevented the National Assembly from reaching the 200 votes needed to initiate impeachment proceedings against the embattled leader.
“With a total of 195 votes, the number of members who voted did not reach the required two-thirds majority,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. “Therefore, I declare that the vote on this matter is invalid.”
The dramatic boycott leaves Yoon’s political future uncertain.
Earlier indications suggested that some lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) might break ranks and join opposition members in supporting impeachment.
However, by Saturday, most PPP legislators had rallied around the president. Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party, hold 192 of the assembly’s 300 seats and required just eight PPP members to secure the two-thirds majority for impeachment.
The plan unraveled when PPP lawmakers walked out of the chamber just before the televised vote, leaving the assembly short of the required quorum.
The walkout sparked angry protests from remaining lawmakers, while an estimated 150,000 demonstrators gathered outside. Although three PPP legislators returned to the chamber, Speaker Woo appealed to other absent lawmakers to return to “protect the Republic of Korea and its democracy.”
Yoon, less than three years into his five-year term, faced intense backlash for his six-hour martial law declaration, overturned by lawmakers in the early hours of Wednesday.
The move provoked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum and triggered massive protests in Seoul and other cities.
As lawmakers exited the chamber, frustrated demonstrators booed and some wept. Jo Ah-gyeong, a protester outside the assembly, said, “Even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted today, I am neither discouraged nor disappointed because we will get it eventually.”
Despite the setback, opposition parties may introduce another impeachment motion as early as Wednesday.
Analysts speculate that PPP lawmakers sought to avoid the spectacle of impeachment—which could politically benefit the opposition Democrats ahead of the next presidential election—and may instead pursue a more orderly resolution.
Hours before the vote, Yoon issued a public apology for his brief martial law order, his first since it was rescinded. In a two-minute televised address, he expressed regret for the decision, calling it an act of desperation, and vowed not to repeat such an action. “I am very sorry for my decision,” Yoon said, promising to face any legal or political consequences.
“I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked,” Yoon said, before bowing. “I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office.”
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic party, said Yoon’s apology was “very disappointing” and had only increased public anger and the sense of betrayal.
“The president’s very existence is the biggest risk to South Korea right now,” Lee said, maintaining that there was “no other solution” than his immediate resignation or removal through impeachment.
Han Dong-hun, the leader of Yoon’s own party, stated that the president’s early resignation was inevitable, asserting that Yoon was no longer capable of fulfilling his duties, according to Yonhap.
Yoon’s controversial actions have triggered concern among key diplomatic partners, including Japan and the United States, as South Korea, one of Asia’s strongest democracies, grapples with a deepening political crisis.
Opposition lawmakers have accused Yoon of orchestrating a self-coup through his martial law declaration, basing their impeachment motion on charges of rebellion.
On Friday night, Democratic Party lawmaker Soyoung Lee sought to reassure the international community amid the unfolding turmoil.
“If President Yoon is impeached today or tomorrow, there is no need to be alarmed; the international community can continue to invest with confidence in Korea’s strong democracy and resilience,” she said.
(Guardian)
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