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
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes

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

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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