South Korea: MPs vote to impeach President Yoon

Summary

In South Korea, a massive protest of 200,000 people gathered outside the National Assembly to demand the impeachment of President Yun following his declaration of martial law. While a smaller protest in support of Yun took place in Seoul’s historic square, parliament voted to suspend his presidential powers. Despite this setback, Yun vowed to fight on, claiming his actions were for governance, not insurrection. As the country waits for a final ruling from the Constitutional Court, the protesters celebrated, believing they had defended South Korea’s democracy. However, the opposition leader's controversial legal battles leave questions about the future of the nation’s political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 A massive protest of over 200,000 people took place outside South Korea's National Assembly, demanding the impeachment of President Yun.
• 😀 Protestors were energized by K-pop anthems, with 'Into the New World' by Girls' Generation becoming an unofficial anthem of the movement.
• 😀 The protests were fueled by President Yun's controversial declaration of martial law, citing Parliament's obstruction and alleged North Korean infiltration.
• 😀 Yun's martial law declaration was rejected by Parliament, but it sparked intense political division across the country.
• 😀 Despite boycotts from his ruling party, 204 members of Parliament voted for Yun's impeachment, suspending his presidential powers.
• 😀 The impeachment vote revealed divisions within Yun's party, as at least 12 of his party members voted in favor of impeachment.
• 😀 President Yun insisted that his actions were acts of governance, not insurrection, and vowed to continue fighting for his vision.
• 😀 The Prime Minister assumed interim presidential powers while the Constitutional Court is set to make a final ruling on the impeachment in six months.
• 😀 The crowds celebrated the impeachment with joy and relief, feeling that South Korea's democracy was alive and resilient.
• 😀 While the impeachment was seen as a victory for democracy, concerns remained about the future, especially with opposition leader EJ m a facing legal issues.
• 😀 The political landscape in South Korea remains unstable, with the impeachment marking a key moment but also highlighting ongoing struggles over the country's future.

Q & A

What was the primary issue that led to the massive protests in South Korea?

The primary issue that sparked the protests was the impeachment of President Yun after he declared martial law, citing obstruction from the parliament and alleging North Korean influence within the opposition. The protesters demanded his impeachment and removal from office.

What role did K-pop music play in the protests?

K-pop music, particularly songs like Girls' Generation's 'Into the New World,' became an unofficial anthem for the protesters, providing a sense of unity and energy throughout the demonstrations.

What was President Yun's reasoning behind declaring martial law?

President Yun declared martial law to address what he perceived as an obstructive parliament influenced by North Korean sympathizers, claiming that he was defending liberal democracy from internal threats.

How did the National Assembly respond to President Yun's declaration of martial law?

The National Assembly strongly opposed President Yun's declaration of martial law. Members of the assembly physically blocked special forces from entering to vote against the declaration, which was ultimately voted down.

What were the results of the impeachment vote in the National Assembly?

The impeachment vote in the National Assembly saw 204 votes in favor, 85 votes against, and three abstentions. This was enough to suspend President Yun's presidential powers, as the motion required at least two-thirds of the assembly's members to vote in favor.

What did President Yun say following the impeachment vote?

Following the impeachment vote, President Yun expressed his determination to fight on, stating that his actions were those of governance, not insurrection. He vowed to continue his journey towards the future and never give up, despite the suspension of his powers.

What happens next for President Yun after the impeachment?

After the impeachment, President Yun's presidential powers are suspended. A final verdict on his impeachment will be delivered within six months by the Constitutional Court, and in the meantime, the Prime Minister will assume interim presidential powers.

How did the crowds react to the impeachment vote results?

The crowds outside the National Assembly were ecstatic upon hearing the impeachment vote results, expressing joy, relief, and pride in South Korea's democracy. Many protesters celebrated the success of their efforts and vowed to continue advocating for political change in the future.

Who is EJ M, and why is his situation significant to the protests?

EJ M is the leader of the opposition party and a potential candidate for the next presidency. His situation is significant because, despite his leadership role, he was convicted of breaking election law and is facing several other trials, which raises questions about his credibility and the future direction of South Korean politics.

What did the protesters believe they had achieved with the impeachment vote?

The protesters believed they had successfully prevented South Korea from regressing into a period of military dictatorship. They felt that by securing the impeachment of President Yun, they had protected the democratic progress of the country and ensured that their voices would be heard in future political decisions.