South Korea’s Parliament has voted to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office.
It comes two weeks after Yoon declared a brief period of martial law (military control) in response to escalating tensions with North Korea.
The President is now facing a criminal investigation over the incident.
On Saturday, members of Yoon’s party voted with the opposition to remove (impeach) him from office. However, it could take months for the impeachment to take effect.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
South Korea is governed by a democratically elected President and Parliament. The two are separate, but presidential powers are overseen by Parliamentary lawmakers.
President Yoon, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), was elected in 2022.
Despite Yoon’s election, the opposing Democratic Party of Korea (DP) holds a parliamentary majority, making it difficult for the PPP to enact policy.
Recently, the DP and the PPP have disagreed about the federal budget.
Martial law
The South Korean Constitution states martial law can only be declared during war, armed conflict and similar national emergencies.
Periods of martial law override civil rights like freedom of speech and public gatherings.
Before this month, South Korea had not been under military control since the 1980s.
On 3 December, Yoon made a late-night televised address announcing the country was under martial law — allowing the military to take control of the country.
President Yoon attributed the decision to “the threat of North Korean communist forces” and the opposition, which he described as “anti-state forces”.
The announcement was met with widespread backlash, and MPs gathered to vote to end military law within hours.
Backlash
Following the incident, the DP proposed a motion to impeach Yoon. The PPP, Yoon’s party, didn’t vote for the motion, meaning it didn’t pass.
However, after mounting public protests, the PPP allowed its MPs to participate in a second, secret vote on whether or not to impeach Yoon.
The impeachment motion passed over the weekend 204 votes to 85.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who leads the PPP, has now been appointed Acting President.
Process
Yoon’s impeachment has to be confirmed by South Korea’s Constitutional Court within six months before his removal from office can be finalised.
The court is meant to have nine serving justices — six of whom must vote unanimously to accept or reject an impeachment. However, there are currently only six serving justices (all appointed by Yoon).
The Court’s three vacant positions are yet to be determined by the Parliament, but a vote is expected in the coming weeks.
If the judges approve the impeachment, a new election would be held within two months.
If the judges vote down the impeachment, Yoon would return to office. His current approval rating is 11%.
Yoon is facing a criminal investigation over the martial law declaration. Last week, his defence minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested for his role in the declaration.
South Korean authorities say they’ve been blocked from investigating Yoon’s office.
Response
Yoon said he would “never give up,” and “do [his] best for the country until the end”.
The DP opposition decided against voting to impeach Acting President Han, despite an investigation into his involvement (as Prime Minister) in Yoon’s martial law declaration.
DP leader Lee Jae-myung has said he’ll work with the PPP government to stabilise the country.
