South Korea’s parliament votes to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial handling of a short-lived martial law attempt. The vote, passed with 204 lawmakers in favor and 85 against, came after intense protests both for and against the president in Seoul. Thousands of citizens gathered in the capital, calling for his resignation, while Yoon’s supporters rallied in his defense, waving flags and chanting slogans.

The impeachment motion stems from Yoon’s refusal to resign after the martial law debacle, a decision that prompted his own ruling party to withdraw support. The president has been suspended from office while awaiting a ruling by the Constitutional Court, which could take up to six months to deliver a verdict.

If upheld, Yoon will become the second South Korean president to be removed from office by impeachment, following Park Geun-hye’s ouster in 2017. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is set to act as interim president, though he too faces investigations regarding the martial law issue, further contributing to the country’s political uncertainty.

This marks the second time in less than a decade that a South Korean leader has faced impeachment proceedings, signaling a volatile political landscape in the country.