South Korea: South Korean President Yoon suspended after MPs vote to impeach him

John Mackenzie
Correspondent in Seoul

Just enough politicians listened to the people protesting every day in freezing temperatures. 204 MPs voted in favor of Yoon’s impeachment – ​​12 members of the ruling party alongside the opposition – and the motion was therefore adopted by four votes.

This means that the president is immediately suspended from office and the prime minister now runs the country.

But Yoon isn’t gone for good.

The decision whether or not to dismiss him is now brought before the Constitutional Court, which has six months to rule. If the court rules in favor of his impeachment, then he will be removed and South Korea will hold new elections. But if not, he will return to power.

Tonight, Yoon vowed to keep fighting, calling it a temporary pause in his presidency. He’s a trained lawyer, who knows the system inside out, and it looks like he’s not going to go quietly.

But protesters and revelers on the street tell me it’s a victory for their democracy.