Asia

SOUTH KOREA Conservatives do not vote, confrontation with Yoon who (belatedly) apologizes

The impeachment motion against the president who tried to establish martial law was blocked when it left the chamber. In his first speech after the turbulent night of December 3, Yoon called it an act of “desperation” and pledged not to repeat it. The People’s Power Party also considers the resignation “inevitable”, but is gaining time by trying to negotiate a less traumatic exit. The opposition, however, does not agree and will once again question the accusation, appealing to the public square.

Seoul () – The lack of quorum in the National Assembly in Seoul has blocked the impeachment motion filed by the opposition against President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his attempt to declare martial law in the country on the night of December 3. Only three of the 108 deputies of the People’s Power Party – the conservative party to which Yoon belongs – participated in the session: all the others left the chamber, which made it impossible to reach the threshold of two-thirds of favorable votes of the 300 deputies who requires the Constitution to remove the president.

It is, however, an interlocutory outcome in a game that drags on, but which sees Yoon’s fate already sealed. Even the conservatives, in fact, believe its departure is necessary, but they are taking their time with the aim of reaching a less traumatic modality.

In the morning – a few hours before the parliamentary session – Yoon had appeared on video from the presidential palace for the first time since the tumultuous night of December 3-4. In a brief speech on Saturday, he said he “sincerely regretted” having caused public concern by declaring martial law, and pledged not to repeat another such attempt, but did not announce his resignation.

Yoon explained that he had imposed martial law out of “desperation,” acknowledging that the sudden decision had caused “concern and inconvenience” to the population. “I will not evade the legal and political responsibilities related to the declaration of martial law,” he had added, stating that any decision, including whether he remains in office, is now in the hands of the People’s Power Party.

Shortly afterward, conservative leader Han Dong-hoon had declared to the press that “early resignation is now inevitable,” adding that the president is no longer capable of carrying out his duties effectively. However, according to observers of Korean politics, the People Power Party would like an “orderly exit” of Yoon from the presidency, rather than a politically explosive and party-damaging dismissal. Also on the table would be the idea of ​​advancing a constitutional reform project with the reduction of the president’s mandate, which on paper would expire in 2027.

For their part, however, the Democratic Party and the other opposition forces do not seem willing to give in, also due to the strength of the impressive street demonstrations in favor of impeachment: this afternoon 150,000 people demonstrated in front of Parliament while the impeachment was being held. session, welcoming the result with disappointment. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung – who is also the candidate defeated by a handful of votes for Yoon in 2022 -, described the president’s apology as “disappointing” and added that there is no alternative but resignation or impeachment. For this reason, it is expected that in the next few hours a new impeachment motion will be presented in the National Assembly, which could be debated again on December 11. “The people know it is necessary and are demanding it,” Lee commented, “even MPs from the People Power Party understand what justice entails, but they are under pressure to oppose it by acting against the will of the people.”

For his part, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo – who met today with conservative leader Han Dong-hoon – promised to “do everything possible to stabilize the situation as soon as possible.” If Yoon were to resign, the powers of the head of state would pass to him; but, according to the Constitution, he would have to call new presidential elections within 60 days, with the probable victory of the opposition that has controlled the South Korean Parliament since last spring.



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