Official announcements from the South Korean government or major news outlets

South Korea's President Yoon Faces Second Impeachment Vote Saturday as Approval Rating Hits 11%

Dec 13, 2024, 07:30 AM

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a second impeachment vote scheduled for 4 p.m. on December 14, following his short-lived declaration of martial law last week. The first impeachment motion was scrapped last Saturday, but opposition parties have resubmitted it, and at least seven ruling party lawmakers are expected to vote in favor, increasing the likelihood of the motion passing. President Yoon's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office, reaching 11%, with 75% of citizens supporting impeachment according to a Gallup poll. The police are considering requesting an arrest warrant for President Yoon over insurrection charges related to his martial law declaration and allegations that he ordered the arrest of lawmakers and a judge. President Yoon defended his martial law decree as "an act of governance" and accused the opposition of paralyzing state affairs. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has called impeachment the best way to restore order in the country. Protests have erupted, with hundreds of citizens demanding President Yoon's resignation and clashing with police outside his residence.