Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed the nation on Saturday morning to apologize for the “anxiety” caused by his attempt to impose a state of emergency.
Some expected Yoon to use the brief TV appearance to resign from office, but he backed off, saying he would let his party decide his political future.
President Yoon will face an impeachment vote in parliament later today, and the result is expected to be close. Opposition parties will need the support of at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s ruling party if they are to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to pass their impeachment request.
If he is impeached, Yoon’s powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office.
Crisis in South Korea exploded late Tuesday when Yoon declared he was imposing martial law, prompting lawmakers to rush to parliament to vote against it. Some climbed over the walls and pushed past the soldiers to cast their vote. The order was lifted by the government before dawn on Wednesday.
Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president who declared martial law?
Mr Yoon, who narrowly won the presidency in 2022, has faced increasing unpopularity since taking office. Already weakened by his party’s defeat in parliamentary elections earlier this year, his approval rating had fallen to 17 percent before this week’s events.
Tuesday night’s chaos began when Mr. Yoon made his case state of emergency declaration citing threats from North Korea and the need to eliminate “anti-state elements”.
But the move was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate power in the face of his domestic struggles. Within hours, lawmakers, some from his People Power Party, rushed into the National Assembly to block the order, while thousands of protesters took to the streets of Seoul.
Shahana YasminDecember 7, 2024 05:00
Watch: Vigil march in South Korea as President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment
Demonstrators gathered in Gwanghwamun Square and outside the National Assembly on Wednesday, holding placards with messages such as “Bring back democracy” and “Investigate his act of rebellion immediately.”
Shahana Yasmin7 December 2024 04:50
When will the South Korean impeachment vote take place?
South Korea’s parliament, the National Assembly, announced this morning that lawmakers will gather Saturday at 5 p.m. local time to hold a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The vote won’t happen right away – first the bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of influence peddling surrounding Yoon’s wife will be voted on.
It was not immediately clear whether the impeachment motion would get the two-thirds needed to pass – 192 out of 300 seats in the assembly. Tuesday night’s vote to lift the emergency was met by a unanimous 190 votes, including some of Yoon’s lawmakers, but the faction has since said it does not support the recall.
Opposition leaders have vowed to continue filing impeachment motions until one is successful. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told reporters that Yoon’s speech this morning was “very disappointing” and that the only way forward was his immediate resignation or impeachment.
If the impeachment bid succeeds, Yoon’s powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office.
Adam Withnall7 December 2024 04:34
South Korea’s president apologizes for causing ‘unrest’ over state of emergency
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a brief televised statement on Saturday morning, hours before lawmakers were to hold a parliamentary vote on his impeachment.
Yoon apologized for trying to impose martial law in the country but did not resign, instead saying he would let his party decide his political future.
“The declaration of his state of emergency was made out of my desperation. But during its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I am very sorry for that and I sincerely apologize to the people who must have been very shocked,” said Yoon.
He also promised not to repeat his attempt to impose a state of emergency.
In his announcement of the state of emergency on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” mired in state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korean followers and anti-state forces”. The order was revoked by the cabinet a few hours later, after the National Assembly voted against it at 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
It remains unclear whether the parliament will succeed in impeaching the president. Opposition parties must win the support of at least eight of Yoon’s MPs for their proposal to pass.
Adam Withnall7 December 2024 04:27