Hey there! Did you hear what’s happening in South Korea? 🇰🇷 Their president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has been impeached. That’s a big word, but don’t worry—we’ll explain what it means!
What Does “Impeached” Mean?
When a country’s leader is impeached, it means the lawmakers have voted to remove them from office because they believe the leader did something very wrong.
Why Was President Yoon Impeached?
President Yoon tried to impose martial law on December 3rd. Martial law is when the military takes over control of the government. Many people didn’t agree with this, and it caused a lot of upset in the country.
The lawmakers accused President Yoon of insurrection. That’s another big word that means trying to take power illegally or by force.
How Did the Vote Happen?
On Saturday, South Korea’s National Assembly (which is like their parliament) voted. They needed at least 200 votes out of 300 to impeach the president. The result? 204 votes in favor! 🎉
Many people in South Korea took to the streets. Some supported President Yoon, and others wanted him to step down. It was a very important moment for the country.
What Happens Next?
Now that President Yoon is impeached, he is suspended from his job. The Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, will take over for now.
The Constitutional Court, which is like the country’s highest court, will decide within 180 days (that’s about six months) if the impeachment will be permanent. If they agree, President Yoon will be officially removed from office.
President Yoon’s Response
After the vote, President Yoon said he would “step aside” and asked for an end to fighting in politics. He said, “Though I must now step aside for a while, the journey toward the future must never come to a stop.”
Why Is This Important?
This is a big deal because if the court agrees, President Yoon will be only the second president in South Korea’s history to be removed from office. It shows how democracies work: when leaders do things people think are wrong, there are ways to address it.
Let’s Keep Watching!
It’s important to stay informed about events around the world. Who knows what will happen next in South Korea? Stay tuned! 📺
Reference(s):
South Korean lawmakers vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol
cgtn.com
