The South Korean National Assembly will be debating an impeachment bill against President Yoon Seong-yeol, and it is expected to be voted on on the 7th. The bill was proposed by six opposition parties and submitted to the Diet, arguing that the emergency martial law temporarily declared by Yun violated the constitution.

Impeachment is a system for prosecuting and punishing presidents and government officials who violate the Constitution or other laws in the performance of their duties, which is generally difficult to punish. The South Korean Constitution stipulates that a bill to impeach the president can be initiated by a majority of the members of the National Assembly (300 members), and a two-thirds majority (200) is required for it to pass.

Currently, the progressive opposition party “Tomo Democratic Party” (represented by Lee Jae-myung) has a majority of 170 seats in the National Assembly, and the total number of seats is 192 when other opposition parties are included. The ruling party People’s Party has 108 seats. The focus is on whether at least eight members of the ruling party will vote against the 200 seats needed to pass the impeachment bill.

If passed, the president will cease to hold office and the prime minister will assume his duties. Following the impeachment vote in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to dismiss him within 180 days. Dismissal is decided by a vote of at least six of the nine judges. If the president is removed from office, a presidential election will be held within 60 days. (Yuki Ishikawa)