Thousands demonstrate to demand the removal of the president who sought to govern under martial law
▲ The protest to demand the overthrow of Yoon Suk-yeol, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul.Photo Afp
AFP, Europa Press, Reuters
La Jornada Newspaper
Sunday, December 8, 2024, p. 17
Seoul. South Korea’s parliamentary attempt to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol by imposing martial law failed due to a boycott of the vote by the legislative majority, which represents the ruling party.
For the measure to be approved, the support of 200 of the 300 parliamentarians that make up the National Assembly was necessary, as well as the presence of more than half of the legislators. None of the requirements were met, since the pro-government wing left the chamber.
Only three deputies from the People’s Power Party (PPP), Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Yea-ji and Kim Sang-wook, participated in the vote.
The number of members who voted did not reach the required two-thirds majoritysaid Parliament Speaker Woo Won-shik, making the result of the motion is not valid.
The PPP stated that it decided to block the motion to avoid great divisions and chaos in the country, and assured that would resolve this crisis in a more orderly and responsible way.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae myung, confirmed that they will try again to at least increase pressure on the president. I will remove Yoon Suk-yeol, who has become the worst risk for South Korea, at any cost declared.
The ruling party is already paying for the political wear and tear; The head of the ruling party, Choo Kyung-ho, submitted his resignation at the end of the session, while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stressed that the government remains fully operational and will do everything possible to stabilize the current situationreported the Yonhap news agency.
The result disappointed the tens of thousands of people, 150 thousand according to the police or one million according to the organizers, who demonstrated in front of Parliament in Seoul.
Attendees screamed and cried in frustration as deputies from the ruling party left the House. Although we did not get the result we wanted today, I am not discouraged or disappointed because in the end we will achieve itsaid Jo Ah-gyeong, 30.
Before the vote, Suk-yeol, 63, apologized for his decision to declare martial law, but said he would let his party decide his future.
I caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I sincerely apologize to the citizens who felt very distressedhe stated in a televised speech, his first public appearance in three days.
Parliament also rejected a bill to open a special investigation against Kim Keon-hee, the president’s wife.
Hours earlier, the ruling PPP party participated in a vote in which the opening of an investigation against Keon-hee was proposed for the alleged manipulation of the shares of a car import company and influence in the designation of electoral candidates.
However, this initiative did not prosper either, as it obtained 198 of the 200 votes required by law. The other 102 deputies voted against the creation of the commission, despite the fact that six members of the ruling wing apparently broke the party line.