South Korea's parliament fails to secure enough votes to impeach President Yoon

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief attempt to impose martial law, an opposition-led motion for his impeachment failed due to insufficient votes.

The motion did not meet the required quorum, as members of Yoon’s ruling party boycotted the vote, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared the impeachment motion invalid, stating, “With a total of 195 votes, the number of members who voted did not reach the required two-thirds majority of the total members. Therefore, I declare that the vote on this matter is not valid”.

The proceedings, marked by deep division and tension, stood in stark contrast to the earlier chaos in parliament, where heated shouting and insults echoed throughout the chamber. The vote came just days after Yoon’s martial law declaration, which led to South Korea’s worst political crisis in decades and threatened the country’s reputation as a democratic success.

To pass the impeachment motion, the opposition needed at least eight votes from members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). However, following a separate vote on appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the First Lady, most PPP members walked out of the chamber, further escalating tensions. Opposition lawmakers, frustrated by the walkout, recited the names of those who had left.

In the meantime, nearly 150,000 people gathered outside the National Assembly to demand President Yoon’s resignation following the martial law debacle. Yonhap News reported that police estimated the turnout at 149,000 by 5:30 pm, while organizers claimed over one million people attended. The rally occurred amid intense political turmoil as lawmakers struggled to gather sufficient votes for Yoon's impeachment.

Ahead of the vote, President Yoon issued a televised apology, expressing regret for the public distress caused by his martial law declaration. Although he took responsibility for his actions, Yoon stopped short of resigning and deferred the resolution of the political crisis to his party. "The declaration of this martial law was made out of desperation, but it caused shock and concern among the public. I deeply apologize," he said.

Yoon's martial law decree has thrust South Korea into political chaos, with his approval rating plummeting to a record low of 13 per cent. Allegations of authoritarianism have intensified, and opposition parties have accused him of using martial law to divert attention from scandals involving himself and his family. The fallout has extended to the military, with senior commanders suspended and the Defence Minister offering his resignation. The United States has expressed concern over the situation, urging respect for democratic processes.

Despite the PPP’s boycott, opposition lawmakers remain committed to impeaching Yoon, with many camping out in parliament to ensure the motion’s success. Outside, protesters continued to gather in freezing temperatures, amplifying calls for Yoon to step down.

By Vafa Guliyeva