This Afternoon, President Yoon's 'Impeachment Vote'... 'National Candlelight March' Before the National Assembly

On the afternoon of the 7th, President Yoon's 'Impeachment Vote' in the National Assembly Plenary Session

The impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol will be voted on in the National Assembly's plenary session on the afternoon of the 7th.

In a situation where the political landscape is extremely chaotic due to the 'martial law' declared by President Yoon, there is intense focus on this impeachment vote, which could be a turning point for the fate of South Korea.

The National Assembly's vote on the impeachment motion against a sitting president is the first in 8 years since the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye in December 2016.

Six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, the National Innovation Party, the Reform Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party, proposed the impeachment of President Yoon on the 4th and reported it to the plenary session the following morning.

The impeachment motion includes claims that the martial law declared by President Yoon on the 3rd violated the principles of popular sovereignty and the separation of powers, among other constitutional and legal violations.

The requirement for passage is 'approval by at least two-thirds of the registered members.' Currently, with 300 registered members, 200 approvals are needed.

Assuming all 192 seats of the opposition bloc are present and vote in favor, at least 8 members from the 108 seats of the People Power Party must cast a 'yes' vote for it to pass.

It is difficult to predict whether more than 8 members will defect from the People Power Party. Han Dong-hoon, the party leader, hinted at supporting impeachment by stating the president's duties should be suspended promptly, but the party's stance against impeachment was not overturned in the late-night general meeting.

So far, People Power Party members Cho Kyung-tae and Ahn Cheol-soo have expressed support for impeachment. Thus, the outcome of the impeachment vote is seen as being in the hands of pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) and neutral members who have not explicitly stated their positions.

If the impeachment motion passes, President Yoon's duties as the head of foreign affairs, defense, and administration will be immediately suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will assume the role of acting president. The Constitutional Court will then begin deliberations, which can last up to 180 days.

The result of the impeachment vote is expected to have significant repercussions in both the ruling and opposition political circles.

Regardless of the outcome, the People Power Party is expected to face deepening internal strife that emerged during the process of forming a party stance on the impeachment vote.

For the Democratic Party, if passed, it could boost Lee Jae-myung's presidential campaign, but 'judicial risks' such as the second trial of the Public Official Election Act remain a potential obstacle. Even if it is rejected, they plan to continue pursuing President Yoon's impeachment.

In the plenary session on this day, along with President Yoon's impeachment vote, a re-vote on the 'Special Prosecutor Act for Kim Keon-hee' will also take place. Previously, President Yoon exercised his right to request a reconsideration of the special prosecutor act for Kim, which was passed in the plenary session after being proposed for the third time by the opposition.

Additionally, progressive groups led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will hold a 'National Candlelight March' in front of the National Assembly at 3 PM. The candlelight march is expected to vary depending on the outcome of the impeachment vote.

Prior to this, the KCTU will hold a preliminary rally in the Yeouido and National Assembly areas, Candlelight Action will march from Yeouido Park to National Assembly Station, and the Korean Metal Workers' Union will hold a preliminary resolution meeting in front of the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu at 1:30 PM.

The conservative group, People's Revolutionary Party, will hold a 'Protect Free South Korea' national revolution rally in front of Donghwa Duty Free in Jongno District at 3 PM.

Yoo Ji-hee, Hankyung.com reporter keephee@hankyung.com