SOUTH Korea has voted to impeach President Yoon over his controversial martial law declaration that sparked mass protests in the country.
MPs finally voted to oust Yoon Suk Yeol pm their second attempt, after the leader’s disastrous decree that only lasted six hours on 3 December.
Martial law was declared by President Yoon in a shock television address at 11pm on 3 December local time.
He told South Koreans he needed to free the country from North Korean forces trying to “paralyse the essential functions of the state”.
He said: “I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order.”
Analysts described Yoon’s decision as a “last ditch attempt” by a “lame duck president” to push his agenda through.
His decision led to chaos, as Seoul residents turned up to the parliament and protested – forming a human shield against heavily armed troops as they tried to seize the parliament.
The leader made a dramatic U-turn just six hours after, after members of his own party slammed his decision, but he survived an immediate impeachment vote.
Lawmakers successfully voted on Saturday, in a second attempt, to remove Yoon from office after his spectacular martial law U-turn last week.
204 out of 300 cast their votes to remove the leader on allegations of insurrection.
This meant members of his own People Power Party voted against the leader, despite the party boycotting the first vote.
The leader of the PPP, Han Dong-hoon, urged members to vote for impeachment this time.
Yoon is now suspended from office while the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to restore the controversial leader or finalise the decision.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been appointed as the country’s acting president following parliament’s decision.
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