SEOUL – South Korea’s National Assembly failed to gain the 200 votes needed to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his ruling party boycotted Saturday’s (December 7) vote. But the country’s sudden political crisis is far from over as opposition lawmakers have vowed to launch another impeachment bid in the days ahead.
Ruling People’s Power Party representatives walked out of the legislative chamber ahead of today’s impeachment vote, ending speculation party members might turn against Yoon over his shock decision to impose martial law this week, which he retracted after about six hours.
Yoon declared in a televised address on December 3 that he was imposing martial law to crush “pro-North Korean and anti-government forces.” Yoon then banned all National Assembly activities and deployed armed troops to arrest key opposition politicians and seize control of the legislature.
However, lawmakers defied the order and eventually convened to vote down the martial law order unanimously. Six opposition parties later submitted an impeachment motion against the president, calling the decree an illegal self-coup attempt.
The People’s Power Party officially decided to oppose impeachment, though at least two of its lawmakers had declared they would vote against the party’s line as of December 6.
Yoon’s second unexpected national address, delivered a few hours before the impeachment ballot, consolidated the party’s rank and file. In a short speech, Yoon said, “I am deeply regretful and I apologize to all South Koreans who were surprised by the martial law.”
“I will entrust my party with the rest of my term, and all the methods to stabilize the country. Going forward, our party and the government will take responsibility to advance together,” Yoon added, implying that he would delegate some of his presidential duties to the party.
Yoon is now expected to let his party play a larger role in governing the country, which may or may not shore up the People’s Power Party’s sagging legitimacy to rule as a minority party in the legislature. His apology also gave the ruling party a pretext to act against popular opinion.
Ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon held a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo soon after Yoon’s speech, at which they were expected to have sketched out how the government would operate following the vote.
Meanwhile, over one million South Koreans gathered in front of the National Assembly in freezing temperatures to demand Yoon’s impeachment. Most were hopeful and enthusiastic Yoon would fall at the vote.
“I think there will be lawmakers who vote against party lines,” a 43-year-old protester Kim Young-ae told Asia Times. “Yoon is being stubborn when he needs to step down. I hope the ruling party gets a conscience.”
Another demonstrator, Kim Dong-yoon, said, “people are already walking on the road to victory. We are making history to place judgment on the traitor Yoon Suk Yeol and his followers.”
However, as the ruling party members walked out, making the vote moot, hope and enthusiasm turned to dismay. Some protesters fell to the ground sobbing and cursing, while others shouted out in anger. Most looked dumbfounded and dazed.
“Is the ruling party really a party for the people?” asked 28-year-old Park Seo-yeon. “They pay no attention to the people and illegally boycotted the vote to satisfy their interests.”
Others took issue with the People’s Power Party’s method of opposing impeachment.
“So many people are gathered here. They should show some respect and at least vote. They are disrespecting the people and the legislative branch,” said 33-year-old Song Yoo-min.
After the ruling party lawmakers left the chambers, angry protesters surrounded the 1.4 square-kilometer National Assembly, effectively blocking them in. Some demonstrators stormed the People’s Power Party’s main office, where they locked horns with local law enforcement.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, the nation’s largest opposition party, called the People’s Power Party a “treacherous and unconstitutional party” and vowed to introduce the impeachment motion again on December 11.
In a press conference, Lee confirmed his party would “continuously introduce the impeachment motion each week” in the hopes that the ruling party would feel more pressure each time it votes against it.
The ruling party said it blocked the impeachment because it would have “paralyzed government operations and suspended a constitutional government.” Instead, it floated other methods of holding the president accountable for his martial law decree, including a possible constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han’s role in government is projected to increase significantly. In a press release, Han said he would do his best as prime minister to ensure that “this situation is sorted out as soon as possible, and that people’s lives are kept stable.”
Ruling party leader Han also said: “I will work with the prime minister to take care of public welfare.” Under the country’s constitution, the prime minister’s role is to assist the president and direct the ministries following orders from the president.
However, experts raised concerns that a perpetual impeachment process will further polarize South Korea’s already deeply divided society.
“The impeachment process can further drive South Korean society into polarization,” said Seoul National University’s political science professor Ahn Doo-hwan during a symposium held on December 6.
“Korea’s conservative [ruling] party cannot settle on a new ideology to rally around. That is why they bring in outside celebrities [like Yoon] to garner the public’s support. And sometimes that backfires,” Ahn added.
Another SNU professor, Kang Won-taek, said, “Yoon is no longer in a position to lead the government.”
All seven political experts participating in the symposium agreed that Yoon’s martial law was illegal and unconstitutional. But, no one could agree on how South Korea could emerge as a resilient democracy from this political turmoil.
The only thing that looks clear at the moment is that the streets of Seoul will be filled with protesters while South Korea’s political crisis continues to unfold.
Lee Seung-ku is a Seoul-based freelance journalist.
wherever the US goes; terrorists, wars, disasters, pain, suffering etc etc follow …
The West is a giant scam. They fooled many people with shiny narratives. They have total disdain for real democracy. When democratic outcomes do not favor them, we see their true colors. They cancelled the Romanian elections where the candidate wanted Romania-first policies rather than NATO first policies. People all over the world are sick of the Western depraved establishment’s “cold wars” and barabrism. But these psychos undermine people’s self expression openly now. In the US, it was too big to rig – instead they have Trump under their spell. Its the easiest way to subvert democracy – you compromise the popular candiate. South Korea the very same thing. Its the world versus the Western Fourth Reich. The Fourth Reich must be destroyed.
well said – how i wish AT has a thumb up sign so i can give you one BIG one …