Yoon Suk Yeol’s dramatic decision to declare martial law the past year, which the opposition has called a self-coup effort, was up for a narrow vote on December 14 in the National Assembly of South Korea. The voting was 204 to 85, with 3 nays and 8 irrelevant votes.
” Now the National Assembly voted in favor of President Yoon’s prosecution. As Yoon was suspended from his post as president, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said,” It is a selection made on behalf of the promises we made as the person’s representative to defend the constitution.
” People’s life are what make republic possible. We may move ahead. We hope people’s lives are immediately stabilized”, Woo added.
The Constitutional Court of South Korea has 180 days to premeditated the senate activity. Yoon joins President Park Geun-hye and former President Roh Moo-hyun in impeachment by Seoul’s congressional tree, which is the second time in South Korean history. The latter’s prosecution action was dismissed by the courtroom after 63 times, while the author’s senate was confirmed after 93 days.
Yoon was charged with “unconstitutionally declaring martial law” and oppressing the National Assembly by the prosecution action on Saturday. Additionally, it criticized the President for attempting to detain powerful figures and defrauding the National Election Commission.
Yoon refuted these claims in a televised address on December 12 and claimed to have declared martial law to alert the general public of the opponent’s “legislative dictatorship.” Yoon railed at the criticism events, calling them pro-North Asian, anti-state causes.
The future of Yoon and his management
With Yoon’s prosecution action passed, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo may assume the role of Acting President until the Court’s ultimate decision.
” In these tough times, I will do my best to maintain the state”, said the prime minister after Yoon was impeached by the government.  ,  ,
But, Prime Minister Han also faces a probe by the authorities for his part in Yoon’s martial law order.
The Democrat Party, South Korea’s largest opposition party, stated that it has no intention of impeaching Han Han but may do the activity in the future. According to Democratic Party spokesman Hwang Jung-ah,” There are many domestic disputes related to the senate of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.” However, we may arrive at a decision taking into account various local circumstances.
However, Yoon’s impeachment trial faces administrative barriers. Six justices are now serving on the nine-person section of Seoul’s Constitutional Court, with three retiring in October. At least seven judges must be present to premeditated an impeachment action, and six must make a decision in favor of upholding the movement, according to the law.
By the end of this month, the Democrat Party said it would make recommendations for judges to the board. The visit of a Constitutional Court fairness requires the President’s confirmation—in this circumstance exercised by Prime Minister Han.
Nonetheless, experts say this concept is essentially be bypassed.
According to South Korean attorney Lee Ju-ha,” the provision requiring the consideration of at least seven justices was briefly suspended in October during a trial to oust Korea’s communications commissioner.” The necessity is now that” all six must rule in favor of the motion.”
Lee predicted that the Constitutional Court would most likely support the impeachment, saying that Yoon “invaded the National Assembly with trained soldiers”” the whole military law declaration process was illegal and unlawful.
He continued,” The President has a legal duty to defend the Vietnamese people’s civil rights and incomes.” But the]martial rules ] order entirely violated the constitution, rule of law, polity, and the structure of governance”.
” That is more than enough cause to be impeached”.
If Yoon’s senate is confirmed by the Constitutional Court, South Korea will have 60 days to choose a new leader. According to a poll conducted on December 8th, 52 % of South Koreans favored Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung for the upcoming presidency. Han Dong-hoon, the head of the ruling party, slipped behind with 9 %.
Who is Lee Jae-myung?
Lee, a trained politician, has previously held two legislative office positions. Lee ran against Yoon in the 2022 National Elections, losing by a margin of only 0.73 %–the smallest in North Korean history.
Lee, a mill laborer-turned-politician, is considered by his followers as a powerful liberal force who can issue Korea’s established organizations. Lee urged radical changes to Korea’s welfare systems during his most recent presidential campaign, including a 200, 000 Korean won ($ 139.99 ) stipend for each child under the age of 17, a loan of 100 million Korean won ($ 9 ) for newlyweds, and a half-adequate reduction of public university tuition costs.
However, Lee’s laws towards North Korea emphasis on cooperation and peaceful interaction. In 2022, Lee vowed to relieve sanctions on North Korea and to develop new inter-Korean jobs.  ,
His opinions on North Korea closely resemble those of former senator Moon Jae-in, who met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018 to negotiate a defense truce. In 2023, President Yoon canceled the contract.
But, Lee’s political opinions may prove an obstacle to South Korea’s empire with the United States. Lee is a vocal critic of Yoon’s political stances toward Japan, calling for” a perfect reshuffle” regarding South Korea’s military participation with Japan.
US President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers have told South Korean and Japanese leaders that the Trump administration will continue to support Biden-era efforts to strengthen three-way relationships, according to Reuters. Such initiatives may be hampered by the establishment of a new democratic administration under Lee’s leadership in Seoul.
On December 13, DP Representative Kang Sun-woo stated that the Democrat Party “is committed tofostering a productive and forward-looking connection with Japan.” Cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan is vital”.
Optimism and hope
Despite this deepening political upheaval, South Koreans on the roads rejoiced at Yoon’s prosecution.
When Assembly Speaker Woo appeared on a big screen declaring Yoon impeached, presentations in front of the National Assembly immediately turned into festivity scenes.
Demonstrants danced to K-pop songs while holding light pieces high in the air. Some embraced one another and shed tears.
” I was but joyful. This effect was made by the people, for the people”, said 26-year-old Kim Ye-sol. ” I nearly cried”.
The protester’s slogans switched from “impeach Yoon Suk Yeol”! to “arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” the thief!
As the regional authorities make an even more urgent case against the suspended President, Yoon’s imprisonment is becoming more likely.
Following the vote, DP head Lee Jae-myung said this was a win for the individuals. ” We have proved that it is the individuals who own this nation”, Lee said.
Yoon’s business said,” President Yoon Suk Yeol may do his best for the people, until the very finish”.