UPDATE 2 - South Korean lawmakers vote on impeaching president, reject probe counsel against first lady

UPDATES AS PARLIAMENT REJECTS APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL TO PROBE FIRST LADY, CHANGE HL, DECK

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea parliament session began on Saturday to vote on impeachment motion against the President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

The impeachment motion to oust him from office was submitted by six opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party.

To pass, the impeachment motion needs the support of at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) to reach the minimum threshold of 200 in the 300-seat parliament.

Currently, the opposition parties enjoy the support of 192 lawmakers including the assembly speaker. However, of 190 lawmakers who voted down Yoon’s martial law decree during an emergency parliament session overnight Tuesday, 18 were from the PPP.

Ruling PPP lawmakers left the parliament ahead of the impeachment vote after participating in a separate vote on a motion to appoint special counsel to probe first lady Kim Keon Hee.

The opposition's motion to impeach Kim fell short by two votes, with 198 lawmakers supporting the measure, including six from the ruling party. However, it failed to meet the required 200-vote threshold for approval.

The motion to impeach Yoon appears unlikely to pass, as the parliament struggles to meet the 200-vote quorum. So far, only three lawmakers from the ruling party have sided with the opposition in the vote.

Opposition bloc protested and hurled slogans as ruling PPP lawmakers left the parliament's main hall.

Earlier, three such bills, passed by simple majority seeking to probe Kim's role in party affairs as well as alleged stock manipulation and receiving costly gifts, were all vetoed by Yoon.

Yoon, 63, apologized to the nation for his failed attempt earlier this week to implement martial law and said he would not try to repeat such a step.

Yoon was elected in 2022 for a five-year term which is set to end in 2027.

​​​​​​​He imposed martial law late Tuesday but it was lifted within six hours.

Intense political deliberations are going on as parliament meets to vote on the impeachment. Ruling party lawmakers are also meeting following Yoon's address to the nation.

Masses of South Koreans on Saturday gathered in front of the parliament ahead of the vote demanding Yoon’s removal from office.

Civic groups, labor groups, and college students held a series of impeachment rallies in various areas in the capital Seoul near parliament, broadcaster KBS reported.

One person was detained by police over trying to set himself on fire.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid