South Korea’s political landscape teeters on the edge of unprecedented change as opposition lawmakers, led by Democratic Party head Lee Jae-myung, prepare to cast their votes on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The accusations center on Yoon’s controversial imposition of martial law—the first in over four decades—sparking political chaos in one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies.
As tensions mount, Yoon’s approval ratings have nosedived to a record-low 11%, according to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday. With protesters flooding the streets of Seoul and public sentiment overwhelmingly in favor of impeachment, the fate of Yoon’s presidency hangs in a delicate balance.
The political maelstrom began with Yoon’s declaration of martial law, a move his critics argue undermined the nation’s constitutional order. This declaration, aimed at quelling alleged threats to national security, has been widely criticized as an overreach of executive power. It marked a stark departure from South Korea’s democratic principles, evoking memories of the country’s authoritarian past.
Opposition lawmakers have charged Yoon with committing “insurrectionary acts” through this controversial decision. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, has rallied opposition forces and defecting members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in a bid to ensure the impeachment motion passes in Saturday’s vote.
The impeachment motion requires 200 votes to succeed in the 300-member National Assembly. With opposition parties commanding 192 seats, they need at least eight defections from the PPP. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown, with political allegiances being tested and backdoor negotiations intensifying.
While last Saturday’s impeachment attempt failed due to a near-total PPP boycott, cracks have since appeared within the ruling party. Seven PPP lawmakers have reportedly pledged support for the impeachment, leaving the vote teetering on the edge.
Kim Min-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, expressed confidence on Friday: “I’m 99 per cent sure the impeachment will pass.” However, the razor-thin margin leaves little room for complacency. The stakes are high, as this vote could redefine South Korea’s democratic trajectory.
Lee Jae-myung issued a passionate plea to PPP lawmakers, urging them to prioritize the nation’s welfare over partisan loyalty. “What the lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the ruling People Power Party but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets,” Lee said on Friday. “History will remember and record your choice.”
Lee has framed the impeachment as a necessary step to restore stability and public trust. He criticized Yoon’s handling of the crisis, calling the President’s response “a declaration of war against the people.”
Despite mounting opposition, President Yoon remains defiant. In a televised address on Thursday, he lambasted the Democratic Party’s impeachment efforts as “madness” and accused them of colluding with North Korea to destabilize his administration.
“I will fight to the end,” Yoon declared, rejecting allegations of misconduct and asserting his legitimacy as a democratically elected leader. His remarks have further polarized public opinion, with critics viewing them as incendiary and dismissive of democratic norms.
The fallout from Yoon’s martial law decision has ignited widespread public outrage. Demonstrators from diverse backgrounds—students, workers, retirees, and even K-pop fans—have united to demand his resignation.
“I’m so angry that we all have to pay the price for electing this president,” said Kim Hwan-ii, a teacher who joined the protests. Echoing similar sentiments, factory worker Kim Sung-tae emphasized the stakes: “Impeachment is a must, and we must fight relentlessly. We’re fighting for the restoration of democracy.”
According to the Gallup Korea poll, 75% of respondents support Yoon’s impeachment, highlighting a near-universal desire for accountability and change.
Should the impeachment vote pass, Yoon would be immediately suspended from office, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming the role of interim president. South Korea’s Constitutional Court would then have 180 days to deliberate on the case. For the impeachment to be upheld, at least six of the court’s nine judges would need to support it. However, with three judicial vacancies, a unanimous decision from the six sitting judges would be required.
South Korea has precedent for both outcomes. In 2004, then-President Roh Moo-hyun was impeached by parliament, only to be reinstated by the Constitutional Court. On the other hand, in 2017, President Park Geun-hye was removed from office following a court ruling that upheld her impeachment over corruption charges.
Even if Yoon survives the impeachment attempt, legal experts argue that he may still face criminal charges for his martial law bid. Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, described Yoon’s actions as a clear violation of the Criminal Code. “This is clearly an act of insurrection,” she said. “The President’s legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code … cannot be avoided.”
The crisis has also plunged the ruling People Power Party into disarray. Internal divisions over Yoon’s leadership have widened, with several members publicly dissenting from the party line. For the PPP, the impeachment vote represents not only a test of loyalty but also a referendum on Yoon’s leadership and the party’s future direction.
Analysts suggest that a successful impeachment could fracture the PPP, paving the way for a realignment of South Korean politics. Conversely, a failed impeachment could bolster Yoon’s claims of a politically motivated witch hunt, but at the cost of further alienating an already disillusioned public.
