The political landscape in South Korea is currently volatile, with President Yoon's actions igniting widespread protests and a potential constitutional crisis.
The requirement for a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly highlights the challenges faced by opposition parties in navigating the political dynamics of the ruling party's support.
The situation underscores the fragility of political stability in South Korea, particularly in light of historical precedents like the impeachment of Park Geun-hye.
If the impeachment motion passes, it could lead to a significant shift in South Korean politics, potentially paving the way for new leadership.
The ongoing political turmoil may influence public sentiment and voter behavior in future elections, particularly regarding the ruling party's credibility.
The situation may prompt further protests and civil unrest if Yoon's administration attempts to resist the impeachment process.
Protests in South Korea have escalated following President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial declaration of martial law, which he justified by accusing the leftist opposition of obstructing government functions and aligning with North Korea. This decision led to significant public outcry and clashes with demonstrators, prompting lawmakers to swiftly overturn the decree just six hours after it was issued. In response, opposition parties have initiated impeachment proceedings against Yoon, claiming his actions constitute treason. The South Korean constitution requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly for impeachment to proceed, which currently consists of 300 seats.
The opposition, comprising six parties with a total of 192 seats, needs at least eight votes from the ruling People Power Party to successfully pass the impeachment motion. A vote is scheduled for Saturday evening, and if approved, the motion will then be reviewed by the constitutional court, which has a challenging task ahead due to its current composition of only six judges. Historically, the last successful presidential impeachment in South Korea was that of Park Geun-hye in 2017, following a major corruption scandal.
