Seoul, South Korea – A motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for his controversial decision to briefly impose martial law this week has failed after lawmakers from his ruling People Power Party (PPP) staged a dramatic walkout, leaving the national assembly without the quorum needed for impeachment.
The high-stakes vote on Saturday was expected to determine Yoon’s immediate political future. Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party, had hoped to secure at least 200 votes in the 300-seat assembly to begin the impeachment process—an outcome that would have set the stage for the embattled president’s removal from office.
Instead, the PPP’s sudden exit scuttled the proceedings. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that just 195 lawmakers were present for the ballot, far short of the required threshold. “With a total of 195 votes, the number of members who voted did not reach the required two-thirds majority of the total members,” Woo said. “Therefore, I declare that the vote on this matter is not valid.”
Political Tensions and Public Outrage
The failed impeachment attempt comes just days after Yoon’s martial law decree—an extraordinary measure that placed Seoul under the control of armed special forces—was rescinded by parliament in the early hours of Wednesday. The announcement of martial law and its abrupt reversal have plunged the nation into political turmoil and sparked mass protests.
As lawmakers walked out, an estimated 150,000 people demonstrated outside the assembly. Within the chamber, some members shouted in anger and disappointment, while protesters outside wept openly. “Even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted today, I am neither discouraged nor disappointed because we will get it eventually,” said Jo Ah-gyeong, a protester who attended the demonstrations.
Despite the setback, opposition leaders signaled they were not giving up. They vowed to submit another impeachment motion, possibly as soon as Wednesday. Given that Yoon’s declaration of martial law has been widely condemned—both domestically and internationally—many believe the political crisis is far from over.
Shifting Support and Party Calculations
Earlier this week, speculation swirled that some PPP lawmakers might break ranks and join the opposition to impeach Yoon. His declaration of martial law, which lasted all of six hours before parliament overturned it, drew criticism from across the political spectrum. But by Saturday, the mood had changed, with PPP MPs ultimately rallying behind their embattled leader.
Analysts suggest that the ruling party’s tactic may reflect a strategic choice to avoid the spectacle and potential political fallout of impeachment. Instead, some PPP officials may prefer a more “orderly” exit scenario for Yoon, a resolution that avoids immediate upheaval while still charting a path away from his presidency if the crises continue to mount.
Mounting Pressure on Yoon
Since taking office in 2022 for a single, five-year term, Yoon has struggled with an opposition-controlled parliament, faltering approval ratings, and controversies involving himself and his wife. His martial law decree, which he defended as an act born of “desperation,” brought intense scrutiny and criticism. Yoon had previously described parliament as a “den of criminals” and pledged to root out “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.”
On Saturday, Yoon issued a televised apology, bowing and stating, “I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologize to the people who were shocked.” He added that he would leave it to his party to manage the current turmoil, including any discussions about his term in office.
Opposition leaders, however, were not impressed by the president’s remorse. Lee Jae-myung, head of the Democratic Party, called the apology “very disappointing,” claiming it only intensified public anger and feelings of betrayal. “The president’s very existence is the biggest risk to South Korea right now,” Lee said, reiterating his call for Yoon’s immediate resignation or removal through impeachment.
Regional and International Concern
The political unrest has drawn concern from key diplomatic partners, including the United States and Japan. As one of Asia’s most robust democracies, South Korea’s stability remains critical to regional security and global markets. Some lawmakers have alleged that Yoon ordered defense counterintelligence units to arrest key politicians—claims that further heighten tensions and raise questions about democratic governance and rule of law.
Looking Ahead
While the impeachment motion failed this time, opposition parties appear determined to try again. With public polls suggesting that a significant majority of South Koreans support impeachment, and rumors that Yoon ordered the targeting of specific political figures under martial law, the president’s political troubles are far from resolved.
For now, Yoon survives in office, but the questions surrounding his leadership, the legitimacy of his actions, and the strength of South Korean democracy remain unanswered. As the political drama continues to unfold, all eyes are on the next moves of the opposition, the ruling party’s internal calculations, and whether the president can weather the storm that threatens to define his presidency.
