South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol impeached following martial law crisis
204 of the 300 lawmakers in the assembly voted in favor of the motion
SEOUL, South Korea (WBRC) - The South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Saturday, according to AP News.
The vote comes less than two weeks after the president’s short-lived martial law decree, the first in more than 40 years.
The move passed with 204 votes, including 12 lawmakers from the president’s own party, which helped the opposition parties surpass the two-thirds majority needed to oust the president.
Following the vote, the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon from office or restore his power. If he is removed, a national election must be held within 60 days.
Saturday’s vote was the assembly’s second attempt to oust Yoon after lawmakers from his party boycotted the first vote last Saturday. However, Yoon’s refusal to resign, along with increasing public protest, may have convinced lawmakers from his own party to cross the aisle.
The country’s No. 2 official, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take over presidential powers until a decision is reached by the court.
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