Conservatives' longest day in South Korea’s National Assembly
The debate on Yoon's impeachment is set for tomorrow afternoon local time. The opposition only needs eight votes from the People Power Party for the impeachment to pass, a move made more likely after news reports suggest that the president planned to have other political leaders arrested on the night of the attempted coup. In case of approval, the matter would move to the Constitutional Court, where, however, only six out of nine judges are in office (four appointed by Yoon himself).
Seoul (AsiaNews) – South Korea’s National Assembly is scheduled to vote Saturday, at 5 pm local time, on a request to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed attempt to proclaim martial law last Tuesday evening.
Since the measure was reversed a few hours later, Yoon has not made any official statements. Nevertheless, in repeated meetings with the leaders of the governing People Power Party, he has shown no sign of wanting to step back, convinced that he did not violate the law.
After talking with President Yoon on Friday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said he heard nothing that could change his stance on a swift suspension of Yoon's presidential powers.
Initially, he was against impeachment, but this morning, after reports indicated that Yoon sought the arrest of the most important political leaders, including Han, on the night of the attempted coup, the PPP leader changed his position.
Even a proposal for mediation from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon fell on deaf ears. The latter had called for a government of national unity and discussions on limiting the powers of the presidency.
The six opposition parties that presented the impeachment motion have 192 votes in the 300-seat National Assembly. For the motion to be adopted, it must receive the support of two thirds of all members, that means that at least eight PPP lawmakers must vote with the opposition.
The chances of this happening have grown significantly today. What is holding back the ruling party is not so much support for Yoon, who has become persona non grata in the party, but the fear of a wipeout in the event of fresh presidential elections.
If the National Assembly backs the motion, Yoon will be immediately suspended from his duties and the prime minister, Han Duck-soo, would serve as interim president pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court.
It should be noted, however, that the Court is currently composed of only six justices out of the nine provided for by the Constitution and that four were appointed by Yoon himself.
To have the Court remove the president, a two-thirds majority is also required, so that all six justice would have to vote in favour. The outcome, therefore, is far from obvious in this case as well.
Presidential impeachments are nothing new in South Korea. Two sitting presidents were removed from office in the past. In 2017 Park Geun-hye was ousted because of corruption charges at the end of the investigation that Yoon himself had conducted.
The other case involves Roh Moo-hyun who, after his impeachment in 2004, was reinstated by the Constitutional Court.
If Yoon was removed or resigned, South Korea would have to hold a new presidential election within 60 days.
The election that brought the current president to the helm of the country was held on 9 March 2022 for a five-year term until 2027.
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12/02/2016 15:14
10/05/2022 15:44
