Sunday, December 08, 2024 - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived an impeachment vote in parliament following his attempt to impose martial law earlier this week.
President Yoon has been facing intense pressure to stand
down as leader, after his shock bid to declare martial law in South Korea. The
failed attempt sparked a fierce backlash.
The martial law declaration was overturned by a majority in
the assembly, including 18 members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party.
However, on Saturday evening, party lawmakers rallied behind
the president, prioritising the prevention of a progressive leadership return
over concerns about Yoon’s actions.
After the vote, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said his party will
“continue to push for the president’s orderly resignation” in order to
“minimize confusion.”
An opposition lawmaker Kim Joon-hyung, of the Rebuilding
Korea Party, said there was no way the president could last until the end of
his term.
“The sooner that he resigns or impeached, the better for our
country.”
Opposition lawmakers have submitted another motion for
Wednesday, December 11 – the next available date they can vote on Yoon’s
impeachment.
Yoon earlier apologized to the nation Saturday in his first
public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law threw the
country into political chaos and led to calls for his impeachment.
“This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my
desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” Yoon said in
a two-minute address.
“I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens
who must have been greatly shocked,” Yoon said, acknowledging that he “caused
anxiety and inconvenience” to South Korean citizens.
Yoon said he “will not avoid the legal and political
responsibility related to this martial law declaration.”
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