South Korean president's impeachment faces setback as ruling party members abstain

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) suggests South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol may survive impeachment efforts, as the majority of its members abstained from voting on his removal motion on December 7.

Only three PPP lawmakers participated in the session, while the remaining members boycotted the crucial vote, amid ongoing political instability following Yoon's recent attempt to impose martial law, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

During a plenary parliamentary session, all 192 members of the opposition and just three PPP lawmakers—Reps. Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Yea-ji and Kim Sang-wook—cast their votes.

The absence of other PPP members came after they left the session following a revote on a bill for a special counsel investigation into allegations of corruption against first lady Kim Keon Hee. That bill was ultimately rejected.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged PPP members to return to the hall and fulfil their voting duty, stating: "You must vote... that is the duty of a patriot, a National Assembly member of the Republic of Korea and an institution that represents the people."

However, the impeachment motion will only proceed if it secures the quorum of 200 votes—a two-thirds majority of the 300-member parliament. A successful motion would require at least eight PPP members to defy their party line and vote in favour.

To recall, this motion stems from President Yoon’s controversial decision earlier this week to declare emergency martial law, an action criticized by opposition groups as unconstitutional. The Democratic Party (DP) and five other minor parties have called this declaration a violation of laws and the Constitution, intensifying pressure on the president to resign or face impeachment.

During a press conference, DP leader Lee Jae-myung dismissed Yoon’s apology over the martial law decision, calling it "completely out of line with the people's expectations" and accusing it of exacerbating public distrust. Lee stressed: "There is no way to resolve the situation other than the president's immediate resignation or an early departure through impeachment."

Earlier on December 7, the National Assembly also voted to reject a bill that would have led to a special counsel investigation into first lady Kim Keon Hee’s corruption allegations. Despite being brought to a revote after being vetoed by Yoon last month, the bill fell short of the two-thirds majority with 198 votes for and 102 against.

With deadlines looming, President Yoon now faces mounting political pressure as South Korea navigates through uncertainty and division. His apology, while an attempt to ease tensions, has only deepened frustrations among opposition members and the public.

The coming hours are critical, with the window for the impeachment motion vote closing at 12:48 a.m. on December 8. The next steps will likely shape South Korea’s political future amid this unfolding crisis.

By Aghakazim Guliyev