Key Takeaways
- The South Korean parliament has supported the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol with 204 votes in favour.
- President Yoon’s martial law declaration was invalidated by the parliament, which voted to lift it.
- The investigation into President Yoon’s actions will continue, and former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been arrested on suspicion of treason.
Seoul: The South Korean parliament supported the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday after 204 lawmakers voted in favour of the top official’s removal from office, while 85 opposed, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
The first parliamentary vote to impeach Yoon was held on December 7, but failed after the ruling party boycotted the vote.
On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, claiming that the opposition was sympathizing with North Korea and plotting subversion. The parliament defied the presidential declaration and voted to lift the martial law. The office of the speaker of the parliament, Woo Won-shik, said that the president’s declaration of martial law was invalid following the lawmakers’ vote.
Shortly after, Yoon lifted martial law and apologized to the nation. He was banned from leaving the country pending the results of an investigation, while former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested on suspicion of treason.
