South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took to the stage on Saturday to apologize for his recent declaration of martial law, describing the decision as stemming from \"desperation as president.\" In his televised address, Yoon assured the nation that he would refrain from imposing martial law in the future and expressed his commitment to facing legal and political consequences. He indicated that his party would determine his political fate.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, which hold 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, are gearing up to vote on Yoon's impeachment at 5:00 p.m. local time. For the impeachment to pass, a two-thirds majority is required, meaning at least eight votes from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are necessary.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the PPP, stated on Saturday that Yoon's resignation might be inevitable, as he is no longer in a position to fulfill his duties. While Han did not confirm PPP's stance on the impeachment motion, a recent statement from two days prior indicated the party opposed impeachment. This flip in position suggests internal divisions within the PPP, increasing the chances of the impeachment moving forward.
Experts point out that the shift from opposing impeachment to some members supporting it highlights significant rifts within the ruling party. Xiang Haoyu, a researcher at the Asia-Pacific Institute of the China Institute of International Studies, noted that if the PPP cannot unify ahead of the vote, several lawmakers might back the impeachment, thereby elevating the likelihood of the motion succeeding.
The secret ballot process means that even a unified opposition from the PPP does not guarantee the outcome. If just eight or more PPP members vote in favor, the impeachment could pass, marking a pivotal moment in South Korea's political landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com