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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol could be facing impeachment after martial law declaration — here’s what that process looks like
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has two options, according to his opposition — resign, or be impeached.
Mr Yoon, who has been the nation’s leader since 2022, now faces condemnation and potential legal consequences after declaring martial law overnight.
In a statement, South Korea’s Democratic Party said it would “immediately” initiate impeachment proceedings if he did not step down.
If any public official is found to have violated South Korea’s constitution, they can be impeached.
Impeachment is the process of bringing charges against a government official for violating their terms of office.
The country’s National Assembly needs at least 200 of its 300 members to vote in favour of impeachment.
That bill would then ask South Korea’s Constitutional Court, made up of nine judges, to impeach and remove Mr Yoon from office.
The National Assembly needs to accuse Mr Yoon of violating the constitution, but does not need to prove its accusation.
If six of the nine Constitutional Court judges vote to impeach, Mr Yoon will be removed from office.
Who are the key players?
Opposition Leader
Defence Minister
The opposition Democratic Party currently holds the majority of National Assembly seats, with Mr Yoon’s party holding 108.
On Wednesday, all 190 members present in the assembly voted in favour of lifting the martial law declaration.
This isn’t the first time South Korea has impeached its president
If impeached, Mr Yoon will become the second South Korean president to be impeached.
In 2017, president Park Geun-hye was impeached and officially stripped of power following a corruption scandal involving a close friend linked to cult activities and multiple South Korean conglomerates.
In that case, 234 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of impeachment. The Constitutional Court then upheld the impeachment by a unanimous decision.
Ms Park was then indicted on multiple charges including abuse of power, bribery, extortion and leaking state secrets.
The court found she had colluded with her friend, allowing the woman to receive millions of dollars to help her family and fund non-profit organisations she owned.
She has denied any wrongdoing.
In 2021, a court rejected her appeal against her 20-year prison sentence. She remains behind bars.
What happens now?
Protesters and officials are calling for Mr Yoon’s resignation or impeachment.
Several of his top aides, including his chief of staff, have already offered to resign, and protesters have gathered in central Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square to call for Mr Yoon’s arrest.
Dr Sojin Lim says President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was “”miscalculated” and his impeachment is “inevitable”.
Mr Yoon has not commented on his own political future.
(ABC NEWS)