‘We don’t even know who’s running the country’: South Korea’s ruling party stalls for time amid leadership crisis

SURVIVING IMPEACHMENT

On Saturday, Yoon averted impeachment after his party’s near-total boycott of proceedings despite large demonstrations outside parliament.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the DP, said that they will try again to impeach Yoon on Dec 14, after failing to secure the two-thirds majority needed. 

Robertson said Lee is likely to want it done as soon as possible, “given the support that he has already garnered for showing his opposition to the imposition of martial law and given the support which is building every day”.

“The public opinion in South Korea is fairly well unified behind the idea that President Yoon should be impeached and should leave office quite soon,” said Hundt. 

He added some ruling party’s members, concerned about the reaction of their local constituents, could well vote in favour of the impeachment motion. 

But even if the impeachment is approved, a trial has to be held before the constitutional court, which would either confirm or reject it. 

Experts said this will be a slow process, which could take up to six months. 

For an impeachment motion to pass, six of the court’s nine justices must vote in favour. 

Gilholm pointed out there is another round of uncertainty, as the court is currently operating with only six of its nine justice positions filled. Successors for three justices who retired in October have yet to be elected.