Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon Suk-yeol Passed... 23 Defections from the Ruling Party

The impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed in the National Assembly on the 14th. As a result, President Yoon's duties have been suspended approximately 2 years and 7 months (950 days) after his inauguration on May 10, 2022. This marks the third presidential impeachment trial in the history of the constitution.

The National Assembly put the 'Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon Suk-yeol' to a vote in the plenary session, passing it with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of a total of 300 votes. The requirement for passing a presidential impeachment motion is the proposal by a majority of the total members of the National Assembly and approval by at least two-thirds (200 out of 300) of the total members.

Assuming all 192 members of the opposition bloc voted in favor, it is estimated that a total of 12 members from the People Power Party did not follow the party line and voted in favor. Initially, 7 members of the People Power Party had publicly expressed their support, and an additional 5 members voted in favor.

Furthermore, the 11 votes consisting of 3 abstentions and 8 invalid votes are also likely to have come from the People Power Party. This calculates to a total of 23 defections from the ruling party. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced the voting results immediately, stating, "Today, our National Assembly has passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol," and described it as a decision made in accordance with the solemn oath to uphold the constitution as representatives of the people.

Speaker Woo continued, "The earnestness, courage, and dedication to democracy shown by the people from the moment martial law was declared until this moment led to this decision," and added, "The National Assembly and its Speaker will deeply engrave this fact." He further stated, "Now, according to constitutional procedures, the Constitutional Court will decide on the removal of the president," and "The National Assembly will faithfully engage in the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial. We will also expedite the appointment of the vacant Constitutional Court judges."

Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com