[South Korea’s Ruling Party Throws Support Behind Impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) – South Korea’s ruling party has thrown its support behind attempts to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated decision to declare martial law that sparked a political crisis and widespread public anger in the country.
The announcement came moments before Yoon delivered a defiant speech Thursday in which he attempted to justify his hugely controversial martial law decision and rejected growing calls from across the political spectrum for him to stand down.
The People Power Party (PPP) had initially refused to back impeachment, hoping instead Yoon would resign from office. But its leadership said attempts to persuade him had made no progress.
“We tried to find a better way than impeachment, but that other way is invalid,” party leader Han Dong-hoon said. “Suspending the president from his duties through impeachment is the only way for now, to defend democracy and the republic.”
The main opposition Democratic Party is preparing a new impeachment motion against Yoon, with a vote expected as soon as Saturday. The president survived an impeachment bid last weekend when PPP members boycotted the vote.
But after his party threw its weight behind impeachment, Han said PPP lawmakers were now free to vote according to their “belief and conscience.”
“I believe our party members will vote for the country and the people,” he said.
The PPP’s reversal Thursday dramatically increases the pressure on Yoon and the likelihood that the next impeachment attempt will be successful.
Yoon has faced mounting calls to stand down since he declared a military emergency on December 3, accusing the main opposition party of “anti-state activities,” sympathizing with North Korea and blocking legislation and budgets.
The president has also faced criticism over his handling of the crisis, with police launching an investigation into him and other top officials on treason allegations. Yoon has been barred from leaving the country and his presidential office has been raided.
In a speech Thursday, Yoon portrayed his brief declaration of martial law as an attempt to break the political stalemate, while accusing the opposition of “siding with North Korea, scratching the government that is struggling to respond” to Pyongyang’s launches of trash balloons into the South, illegal nuclear armament and missile threats.
Yoon said he was “deeply sorry” for declaring martial law and vowed to “fight until the last moment with the people.” He also pledged to “make a new start” with the people, but the damage may have already been done.
As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering what lies ahead for Yoon’s presidency and the future of South Korea’s democracy.
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