South Korea’s President Yoon survives impeachment attempt after his party boycotts vote

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Expert says South Korean president’s failed martial law declaration attempt a ‘blunder,’ to ‘reassert himself’

South Korea’s opposition parties moved Wednesday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

• South Korean President Yoon attempted to impose martial law earlier this week, prompting heavy criticism and calls for his impeachment.
• Yoon survived the impeachment attempt in the opposition-led parliament after members of his party boycotted the vote.
• Yoon apologized to his country, but resisted calls to resign ahead of the vote.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment motion in the opposition-led parliament on Saturday that was prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law this week, after members of his party boycotted the vote.

Only 195 votes were cast, below the threshold of 200 needed for the vote to count.

SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT’S MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION A ‘BLUNDER,’ COULD EMBOLDEN NORTH KOREA, EXPERT SAYS

“The entire nation is watching the decision being made here at the National Assembly today. World is watching,” National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said with a sigh. “It’s very unfortunate that there wasn’t even a vote.”

Only one lawmaker of President Yoon’s People Power Party remains in the voting chamber during the plenary session for Yoon’s impeachment vote at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on December 7, 2024. (Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool via Reuters)

The main opposition Democratic Party has said it would revive the impeachment motion next week if it failed on Saturday.

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Yoon shocked the nation late on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents. He later rescinded the order.

He apologized to the nation in a speech on Saturday morning but resisted calls to resign ahead of the vote.