South Korea’s parliament to vote on impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea's National Assembly will vote on December 7 on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his failed attempt to impose martial law earlier this week, which has caused significant political unrest.

The plenary session, scheduled for 5 pm, will determine if the motion, introduced by opposition lawmakers, can secure the two-thirds majority needed to pass, Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media. 

The motion was submitted by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and five minor opposition parties, arguing that Yoon's martial law declaration violated the Constitution and other laws. The opposition bloc holds 192 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly.

A two-thirds majority requires support from at least eight lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). However, the PPP has stated it will continue opposing the impeachment motion. Earlier, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon suggested that Yoon should step down early, stating, “It has become inevitable for Yoon to step down early,” and added that the president is no longer in a position to perform his duties effectively.

This comes after Yoon delivered a nationally televised apology for the panic caused by his martial law attempt, pledging not to repeat such a move. Despite the apology, DP lawmakers remain dissatisfied, insisting on Yoon's immediate resignation or impeachment.

If the motion passes, the Constitutional Court will determine whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office. If upheld, Yoon would become the second South Korean president to be impeached, after Park Geun-hye in 2017.

Additionally, the National Assembly will vote on a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s alleged corruption and election interference, which Yoon has vetoed three times. This bill also requires a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

The DP has also announced plans to put forward an impeachment motion for Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, accusing him of being a key figure behind the botched martial law attempt.

By Vugar Khalilov