South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived an impeachment vote after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the proceedings. The opposition parties had submitted a bill to impeach Yoon following his declaration of martial law on December 3, which was widely criticized.
The impeachment motion required a two-thirds majority, or 200 out of 300 National Assembly members, to pass. However, with the PPP's 115 lawmakers boycotting the vote, only 195 members were present, falling short of the required quorum.
The PPP's leader, Han Dong-hoon, had initially announced the party's opposition to the impeachment motion, but later called on Yoon to "suspend his duties soon" and warned that citizens could be in "great danger" if Yoon remained in office.
The impeachment motion was sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law, which was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate power and suppress opposition. The declaration was met with widespread protests and criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
Despite the failure of the impeachment motion, the opposition parties have vowed to continue their efforts to hold Yoon accountable for his actions. The Democratic Party has announced plans to file impeachment motions against Yoon on a weekly basis.
The crisis has sparked concerns about the stability of South Korea's democracy and the potential for further unrest. The international community has been watching the situation closely, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
In the aftermath of the failed impeachment motion, Yoon has apologized for declaring martial law, describing it as a "desperate decision" made to defend the country from "anti-state forces". However, the opposition parties have rejected his apology, calling it "insincere" and demanding his resignation.
The situation in South Korea remains volatile, with protests and demonstrations continuing across the country. The opposition parties have vowed to continue their fight for democracy and accountability, while Yoon's government has pledged to take steps to restore stability and trust.
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