As per reports, following are the updates on political unrest in South Korea as on Sunday (08 December) –
• On Saturday (07 December), the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol failed as most ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotted the vote by walking out the Assembly chamber, preventing it from reaching the quorum of 200 votes. Impeaching a seating president requires support from a two-thirds majority of the 300-member parliament to pass.
• On Sunday (08 December), PPP Chair Han Dong-hoon announced that President Yoon will be stepping back from state affairs including diplomacy, as the party and Cabinet pursue his ‘early resignation’.
• Ruling PPP Rep. Choo Kyung-ho announced on Saturday (07 December) that he will step down from his position as the party’s floor leader. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint with the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency, accusing Choo of working with President Yoon in committing treason when the president declared martial law on Tuesday (03 December).
• On Saturday (07 December) evening, nearly 150,000 people gathered in Yeouido, outside the National Assembly building ahead of the impeachment.
• Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will convene a Cabinet meeting at 1400 hours on Sunday (08 December) to promptly stabilize the political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law last week.