Yoon belatedly apologises, PPP lawmakers do not vote, causing a stalemate
The impeachment motion against the president who tried to impose martial law was blocked. In his first address after the tumultuous night last Wednesday, Yoon called it an act of "desperation", pledging not to repeat it. The People Power Party, which sees his resignation as "inevitable", is taking its time to negotiate a less traumatic exit. Appealing to protesters, the opposition, however, won’t have it, and will try another impeachment motion.
Seoul (AsiaNews) – The lack of a quorum in South Korea’s National Assembly stopped the impeachment motion put forward by the opposition against President Yoon Suk Yeol, after he attempted to proclaim martial law in late last Tuesday.
Only 3 out of 108 lawmakers from Yoon’s right-leaning People Power Party were present for the vote; all the others walked out, thus making it impossible to reach the two-third quorum in the 300-member body, needed to impeach the president under the country’s constitution.
This is, however, just a first round in a match with more innings to go, but in which Yoon's fate is already sealed. Even fellow PPP members believe that his exit from the scene is necessary, but are taking time to find a less traumatic way out.
In the morning, a few hours before the vote, Yoon spoke from the presidential palace for the first time since the tumultuous night, last Tuesday.
In a brief address, he said he was "sincerely sorry" for causing public concern by declaring martial law, and pledged not to repeat such action, but did not announce his resignation.
Yoon explained that he imposed martial law out of "desperation", acknowledging that the sudden decision caused "concerns and inconvenience" to the people.
“I will not avoid legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration," he said, vowing to leave all decisions, including his term, to his People Power Party in order to stabilise the nation.
Shortly afterwards, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon told reporters that an early resignation is now inevitable, noting that the president is no longer able to effectively perform his duties.
According to several South Korean political observers, the PPP would like "an orderly exit”, instead of a politically explosive impeachment that would be harmful to the party.
One suggestion is a constitutional reform that would reduce the president's term of office, which under present rules would expire in 2027.
For their part, the Democratic Party and other opposition forces seem unwilling to give in, boosted by massive street protests in favour of impeachment; this evening 150,000 people gathered in front of the National Assembly while the session was underway, disappointed by the eventual outcome.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who ran and lost against Yoon in 2022, called the president's apology "disappointing", noting that there are no alternatives to resignation or impeachment.
It is thus expected that a new impeachment motion will soon be filed in the National Assembly, as early as next Wednesday.
“The people know the necessity of impeachment and are demanding it,” Lee said. “PPP lawmakers understand what justice entails, but they are pressured to act against justice and the will of the people.”
For his part, Prime Minister Han Duck-so, who met with PPP leader Han Dong-hoon today, pledged in a press release to “make all-out efforts to promptly stabilise the current situation".
If Yoon resigns, presidential authority would pass to the prime minister; according to the Constitution, he would be required to call a new presidential election within 60 days, with the probable victory of the opposition, which has controlled the National Assembly since this spring.
.png)
12/02/2016 15:14
11/04/2024 16:59
10/05/2022 15:44
