South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached on Saturday after the National Assembly voted to remove him from office, with 204 lawmakers supporting the motion. 

The Democratic Party (DP), which led the impeachment effort, secured support from 12 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), despite the PPP’s platform opposing the motion. This marks the second time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has been impeached, following Park Geun-hye in 2016.

The official document confirming the impeachment motion will be presented to Yoon, immediately suspending his presidential powers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will most likely assume the role of acting president while the Constitutional Court reviews the National Assembly’s decision. The court has up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment. If confirmed, South Korea will hold a presidential election within 60 days of the ruling.

WHY IT MATTERS

Yoon’s impeachment plunges South Korea into political and administrative uncertainty. Typically, the prime minister serves as the acting president after the president resigns or gets impeached. However, it is unclear if Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will be able to do so.

Opposition lawmakers have targeted Cabinet members, including Han, who participated in the meeting immediately before Yoon’s martial law declaration. The presidential office has stated it does not possess minutes from that meeting, fueling further speculation about the role of key officials in the decision-making process. If the Democratic Party (DP) deems Han unsuitable to serve as acting president, the position could fall to Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, according to the presidential line of succession.

Compounding this uncertainty is the composition of the Constitutional Court, which currently has three vacant seats on its nine-member bench. These vacancies are likely to be filled by justices nominated by the DP-controlled National Assembly and approved by the acting president. This could influence the court’s decision on Yoon’s impeachment, raising questions about impartiality and the balance of power during this critical period.

Public protests demanding Yoon’s resignation have intensified in recent weeks, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership. While the impeachment may placate some, the months-long court review will likely fuel further unrest. The ability of the acting president — whether Han or another official — to stabilize governance and manage foreign and economic policies will be key in overseeing South Korea’s interests during this period of uncertainty.