The president of South Korea is expected to resign early
World
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol admitted on Saturday that his imposition of martial law had plunged the country into a political crisis and stated that he would leave his fate in the hands of the ruling party.
"I sincerely apologize to the public," Yoon said in a televised address, with the impeachment vote scheduled for later on Saturday.
"I will not evade legal and political responsibility for declaring martial law. To stabilize state affairs, including my term, I leave the decision to the ruling party," Yoon said in his brief two-minute speech.
Following the speech, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, stated that Yoon’s early resignation was now inevitable.
The impeachment vote is set to take place at 5:00 p.m. local time in the National Assembly. The outcome will hinge on whether the opposition can secure at least eight votes from Yoon’s party members to achieve the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment.
If the impeachment motion succeeds, Prime Minister Han will temporarily lead the country, and Yoon will become the third South Korean president to face impeachment proceedings.
Conversely, if the motion fails, Yoon will remain in office, but his ability to complete his term will be in doubt, and the risk of mass protests will loom.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, vowed to continue pursuing impeachment against the president if the motion fails.
“The greatest threat to South Korea today is the president himself,” Lee said. “The only way to resolve this issue is for the president to resign immediately or be removed through impeachment.”
"I will not evade legal and political responsibility for declaring martial law. To stabilize state affairs, including my term, I leave the decision to the ruling party," Yoon said in his brief two-minute speech.
Following the speech, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, stated that Yoon’s early resignation was now inevitable.
The impeachment vote is set to take place at 5:00 p.m. local time in the National Assembly. The outcome will hinge on whether the opposition can secure at least eight votes from Yoon’s party members to achieve the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment.
If the impeachment motion succeeds, Prime Minister Han will temporarily lead the country, and Yoon will become the third South Korean president to face impeachment proceedings.
Conversely, if the motion fails, Yoon will remain in office, but his ability to complete his term will be in doubt, and the risk of mass protests will loom.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, vowed to continue pursuing impeachment against the president if the motion fails.
“The greatest threat to South Korea today is the president himself,” Lee said. “The only way to resolve this issue is for the president to resign immediately or be removed through impeachment.”
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