Voting on 2nd impeachment motion against President Yoon begins

South Korean parliament session began on Saturday (December 14) as lawmakers are set to vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

The motion to impeach Yoon was submitted by opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party, according to the Yonhap news agency.

To pass, the impeachment motion needs the support of at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) to reach the minimum threshold of 200 in the 300-seat parliament.

The president narrowly avoided an initial impeachment attempt last week when members of his People Power Party boycotted the session, preventing the vote from reaching the necessary quorum.

Yoon declared martial law on December 3, but 190 lawmakers convened and passed a motion to lift it, forcing him to rescind the decision.

The move by the president has led to calls for his resignation, including from members of his party.

The 63-year-old leader is the first sitting president to face charges of treason and insurrection, alongside a ban on overseas travel.

On Saturday, a large group of people gathered in front of the parliament ahead of the vote to demand Yoon’s removal from office.