South Korean President Yoon impeached after martial law drama

Prime minister becomes acting president, assures 'no void in state affairs'

20241214 SK protesters celebrating

South Korean citizens celebrate in front of the National Assembly in Seoul after the legislature impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec.14. © Reuters

STEVEN BOROWIEC, KIM JAEWON and LISA KIM, Nikkei staff writers

SEOUL -- Lawmakers in South Korea on Saturday voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he tried to implement martial law earlier this month, capping one of the most tumultuous periods in the country's modern democratic history.

A total of 204 members of the National Assembly voted for impeachment while 85 were opposed. There were also three abstentions and eight votes were deemed invalid. A two-thirds majority, or 200 votes, in the 300-member legislature was required for passage. Yoon is now suspended from office and must await a final ruling by South Korea's Constitutional Court on whether to uphold or overturn the result.

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