South Korea in turmoil: President impeached after martial law
The Parliament of South Korea voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The head of state has been suspended from duties until the Constitutional Court rules on the matter, which could take up to 180 days. This decision follows the president's declaration of martial law at the beginning of December.
The Court will decide whether to uphold Parliament's decision, which would result in the permanent removal of Jun from office. During this time, Prime Minister Han Duk Su will assume presidential duties.
204 deputies in the 300-member National Assembly voted for Yoon's impeachment. 85 members voted against, three abstained, and eight votes were declared invalid.
This was the second vote on a joint motion by six opposition parties to remove the head of state. In the first vote, on December 7th, Yoon Suk Yeol avoided impeachment due to a lack of quorum caused by a boycott by deputies from the ruling People Power Party.
According to South Korean media, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered on the streets of Seoul and in front of the National Assembly building on Saturday - both those demanding the removal of President Yoon and opponents of his impeachment.
President banned from leaving the country
Yoon declared martial law on the evening of December 3rd, announcing the "elimination [of] the anti-state forces" and accusing the opposition of paralyzing government operations and sympathizing with communist North Korea.
The military issued a decree prohibiting political activities, the work of parliament and parties, and imposed control of the martial law administration over the media. After six hours, before dawn on Wednesday, December 4th, martial law was lifted.
On Monday, a ban was issued preventing President Yoon Suk Yeol from leaving the country.
