South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been impeached by the National Assembly over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, a move that plunged South Korea into political turmoil halfway through his presidency.
The unicameral National Assembly voted 204 to 85 on Saturday to impeach Yoon, the second such vote in eight days. Three members abstained and eight votes were declared invalid.
The vote was done by secret ballot, with two-thirds of the votes required for impeachment. All 300 members of the assembly cast their ballots.
Audible gasps were heard from the chamber as the result of the voting was announced. Outside, thousands of protesters greeted the announcement with applause and loud cheers.
media’s Rob McBride, reporting from inside the assembly building, described the mood as “sombre” after the vote.
But our correspondent said that the political impasse is not yet over as the president “has vowed to fight” his case before the court.
“But as far as the opposition and this assembly is concerned, they have not achieved what they’ve set out to do.”
With his impeachment, Yoon is automatically suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates his fate.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is taking over as the interim president.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
