South Korean President Escapes Impeachment After Ruling Party Boycotts Vote
Following this turmoil, Yoon publicly apologized for his actions but did not resign, stating that he would leave his political future to his party's discretion.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has successfully avoided impeachment after a critical vote on December 7, 2024, failed to proceed due to a boycott by members of his ruling party, the People Power Party (PPP).
The impeachment motion was initiated by the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly but required a two-thirds majority—200 votes—to pass. With nearly all 108 PPP lawmakers exiting the chamber before the vote, only 195 votes were cast, falling short of the necessary quorum.
In response to the failed impeachment attempt, opposition leaders have indicated plans to reintroduce the impeachment motion on December 11, with a subsequent vote scheduled for December 14. This ongoing political struggle reflects deep divisions within South Korea’s political landscape and continues to fuel public demonstrations demanding Yoon’s resignation.
The impeachment was largely prompted by Yoon’s controversial decision to declare martial law earlier in the week, which he quickly rescinded amid widespread protests and backlash from both the public and political figures. His declaration aimed to grant emergency powers to military forces to combat what he described as “anti-state forces” but was met with immediate legislative pushback.
Following this turmoil, Yoon publicly apologized for his actions but did not resign, stating that he would leave his political future to his party’s discretion.
The failure of the impeachment vote is expected to escalate tensions within South Korea, as significant portions of the populace continue to express dissatisfaction with Yoon’s leadership. The Democratic Party’s renewed efforts for impeachment signal that this political crisis is far from resolved and further developments are anticipated in the coming weeks.
