S Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday following his attempt to impose martial law last week.

The motion was carried after some members of Yoon’s People Power Party joined the opposition parties clearing the two-third threshold needed for impeachment.

The move came after Yoon’s brief and controversial martial law declaration on December 3.

According to South Korean constitution, a presidential election must be held within 60 days if the president is either dismissed or resigns.

The decision to declare martial law, which was quickly reversed within six hours, sparked concerns about Yoon’s intentions.

He defended the move by citing the need to protect constitutional order and combat pro-North Korea anti-state groups.

This action raised fears that Yoon may attempt a second, more extensive martial law declaration.

President Yoon is the second conservative president in a row to be impeached in South Korea. Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017.

The impeachment process, as reported by the BBC, could take weeks and he would be removed from office if six of the nine-member council vote in favour of the impeachment.

If Yoon is removed from office, a snap election will be called within 60 days of the court’s ruling.