Cheers erupt, heads hang in defeat as National Assembly impeaches president
Rep. Kim Sang-wook, right, of the ruling People Power Party bows his head, with his hands in fists, during the National Assembly’s plenary session on Saturday, as Democratic Party of Korea's floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae, at the podium, appeals for the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yonhap
At 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, the National Assembly chamber was momentarily silent as Speaker Woo Won-shik announced the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The silence was broken by cheers from opposition lawmakers, who let out sighs of relief. Meanwhile, ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers, who had expected the motion to fail, bowed their heads in disappointment and quickly exited the chamber.
The motion passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three abstentions and eight invalid votes out of 300.
Until the very last moment, the outcome remained uncertain.
Opposition lawmakers arrived in the hall early, while the PPP appeared divided, delaying their entrance by three minutes past the scheduled start of the session.
Earlier that day, the PPP held an emergency meeting to finalize its stance: members would participate in the vote but oppose the impeachment.
In an effort to sway hesitant lawmakers, some PPP members shared photos and videos of anti-impeachment rallies in Gwanghwamun on a group messaging app, urging others to vote against the motion.
Woo opened the session, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), delivered a 21-minute speech explaining the grounds for impeachment. He meticulously outlined the charges against Yoon, speaking to a chamber heavy with silence.
During the speech, some PPP members, including former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and current leader Kweon Seong-dong, briefly left the chamber to converse before returning.
When voting began, lawmakers from both sides displayed somber determination. The process concluded in about 15 minutes.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, right, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung walk past with bright expressions shortly after an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed during a plenary session at the National Assembly, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-seok
Moment of truth
When Woo announced the result — "The motion is passed" — opposition members erupted in cheers. Outside the chamber, their aides and party officials joined the celebration, their voices spilling through the doors.
In stark contrast, PPP lawmakers quietly filed out of the chamber, many visibly shocked. The party’s internal tally showed that 12 members had crossed party lines to vote in favor, exceeding the 7 who had publicly declared their support.
Kim Sang-wook, a PPP lawmaker who had openly supported impeachment, remained seated in silence, seemingly overwhelmed.
Opposition lawmakers Lee Jun-seok, Kim Nam-geun and Kim Jun-hyuk approached him to offer words of consolation.
Woo reflected on the moment, saying, "Today, our National Assembly has passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision upholds the solemn oath we took to abide by the Constitution, a promise we made as representatives of the people."
He continued, "From the moment martial law was declared to this very hour, the courage, commitment and longing for democracy shown by the people have guided this decision."
Opposition lawmakers listened quietly to Woo’s remarks, only rising to congratulate one another after the session adjourned.
Outside the chamber, Park told reporters, "This is a victory for the people and for democracy. We will now focus on restoring stability and addressing public concerns."
People Power Party lawmakers exit the chamber of the National Assembly on Dec. 14, shortly after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed. Yonhap
Park also called on the Constitutional Court to handle the impeachment trial with urgency and impartiality.
"The Dec. 3 martial law was a grave violation of constitutional order. We hope the court will conduct a swift and strictly constitutional review," he said.
After the session, DPK lawmakers gathered at the steps of the rotunda at the main building of the National Assembly, bowing deeply to express their gratitude to the public.
Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, center, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party, places his hands together as he awaits the results of an impeachment vote at the National Assembly, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.