Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

South Korean President survives impeachment: Speaker

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Dec 2024 14:08
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The filed impeachment motion has failed as it did not meet the required quorum after the President's party boycotted the vote.

Listen
  • x
  • South Korean President nears avoiding impeachment
    This handout photo taken and released on December 7, 2024, by the South Korean Presidential Office shows South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol bowing after the end of his address at the Presidential Office in Seoul (Photo by Handout/South Korean Presidential Office/AFP)

An opposition-led motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol over his brief declaration of martial law failed Saturday as it did not meet the required quorum after his party boycotted the vote.

"With a total of 195 votes, the number of members who voted did not reach the required two-thirds majority of the total members. Therefore, I declare that the vote on this matter is not valid," National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said.

Yoon shocked the nation and the international community on Tuesday night by suspending civilian rule and deploying troops to parliament. However, he was compelled to backtrack after lawmakers rejected his decree.

Earlier, it was reported that the South Korean President appeared close to averting impeachment, as lawmakers from his ruling party boycotted the parliamentary vote despite massive protests outside the National Assembly.

The impeachment motion, filed by opposition parties holding 192 of the 300 parliamentary seats, required 200 votes to pass and was put to a vote on Saturday evening.

Nearly all 108 lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) left the chamber before the voting commenced, drawing critical reactions from the opposition. Only three PPP members participated in the vote, while National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik refrained from declaring the result, instead urging PPP lawmakers to return "to protect the Republic of Korea and its democracy."

Vast crowds gathered outside parliament, with police estimating the turnout at 150,000, while organizers claimed it exceeded one million.

Protesters jeered, sighed, or even wept as ruling party lawmakers exited the chamber. Some demonstrators left in frustration, while others remained.

In contrast, thousands of pro-Yoon supporters held a rally in Seoul’s main square, demonstrating their continued backing for the president.

Yoon’s apology

Before the vote, Yoon, 63, delivered a public apology for the crisis but left the decision regarding his fate to his party.

Related News

South Korea's Yoon indicted again amid insurrection trial

South Korea's parliament pushes for Yoon's removal

"I caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I sincerely apologize," Yoon said during a televised address, marking his first public appearance in three days.

He added that he would "entrust the party with measures to stabilize the political situation, including my term in office."

PPP lawmakers largely supported Yoon, even as party leader Han Dong-hoon—allegedly on an arrest list during Tuesday’s events—called for the President's resignation.

If the motion were to pass, Yoon would be suspended from his duties while the Constitutional Court deliberates on the case.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung criticized Yoon’s remarks, describing them as “very disappointing” given the widespread anger among South Koreans.

His speech "only exacerbates the sense of betrayal and anger among the citizens," Lee indicated, pointing out that the only viable resolution was "the immediate resignation of the president or an early departure through impeachment."

A poll released on Friday revealed that Yoon's approval rating had sunk to a record low of 13%.

Allegations of insurrection

Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into Yoon and others for alleged insurrection.

In his declaration of martial law on Tuesday, Yoon stated that it aimed to "eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness."

Security forces had sealed the National Assembly, deployed helicopters on its roof, and positioned nearly 300 soldiers to lock down the building.

Despite orders to detain key politicians, parliamentary staff reportedly barricaded entrances with sofas and fire extinguishers.

Lawmakers from both parties have claimed that special forces were instructed to “drag out” MPs from the building, though enough members managed to enter—some scaling walls—to nullify Yoon’s decree through a vote.

Read more: South Korea's president faces treason probe, impeachment vote

  • Seoul
  • Yoon Suk Yeol
  • South Korea

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS