April 4, 2025 — Seoul, South Korea
Historic Motion Submitted in National Assembly
South Korea’s major opposition parties formally submitted an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol on April 3, 2025, accusing him of abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and repeated violations of constitutional duties. The move marks the most serious political challenge yet to Yoon’s presidency and has intensified public debate over executive accountability in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
The motion was introduced in the National Assembly by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which holds 172 of the chamber’s 300 seats. Support from smaller progressive parties including the Justice Party and Basic Income Party pushed the total number of supporting lawmakers to 181—exceeding the two-thirds majority required for impeachment under South Korean law.
Allegations Against the President
The impeachment motion accuses President Yoon of interfering with ongoing corruption investigations into close political allies, misusing presidential powers to target dissenting prosecutors, and ignoring repeated warnings from the Constitutional Court on executive overreach. It also cites his refusal to appoint court-recommended justices and alleged manipulation of key state agencies for political purposes.
Specifically, lawmakers pointed to:
- Interference with Prosecutorial Investigations: The opposition claims President Yoon pressured the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to limit probes into ruling party lawmakers accused of influence peddling.
- Executive Overreach: The administration’s repeated vetoes of National Assembly-passed legislation and refusal to implement court rulings were cited as violations of the separation of powers.
- Suppression of Press Freedom: Citing recent government raids on independent news outlets, the impeachment motion labeled Yoon’s administration “hostile to democratic norms.”
President Yoon has categorically denied all charges, calling them “politically motivated” and “a reckless misuse of legislative power.”
Presidential Office Response
In a late-night press conference on April 3, presidential spokesperson Kim Eun-hye condemned the motion as “an undemocratic attempt to overturn a legitimate government through procedural abuse.” She added that the president “will not resign under pressure and remains committed to defending the constitution.”
President Yoon, who was elected in March 2022 and inaugurated in May 2022, has 27 months remaining in his five-year term. South Korean presidents are constitutionally limited to a single term.
National Assembly Timeline
The impeachment motion will now proceed to a full National Assembly vote, which is expected to take place on April 6. If passed, the motion would suspend President Yoon’s powers immediately, pending a review by the Constitutional Court.
According to Article 65 of the South Korean Constitution, the court must reach a decision within 180 days. If the court upholds the impeachment by a vote of at least six of its nine justices, President Yoon will be removed from office permanently.
If the court rejects the motion, Yoon will be reinstated with full executive authority.
Public Reaction and Protests
News of the impeachment motion triggered widespread protests and counter-protests across the country.
In Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered late into the night waving banners that read “Yoon Out” and “Restore Democracy.” Protesters called for accountability and chanted slogans against what they view as authoritarian governance.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Yoon rallied outside the National Assembly building, accusing the opposition of attempting to destabilize the country. Riot police were deployed to separate opposing groups and maintain order, though no major violence was reported.
International Reaction
Foreign governments have responded cautiously to the development. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said, “We respect the democratic process of our ally South Korea and trust its institutions to manage internal political affairs transparently.”
Japan and China both declined to comment publicly, while markets in the region reacted nervously. South Korea’s KOSPI stock index dropped 2.4% on April 4 amid political uncertainty, and the Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.
Constitutional Court Composition Key
Observers note that the outcome of the impeachment case may hinge on the current composition of the Constitutional Court. Out of the nine justices, six were appointed during Yoon’s administration. While officially independent, some legal experts believe recent decisions suggest the court may take a cautious approach.
In 2017, former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office following a unanimous ruling by the court in response to a corruption and abuse of power scandal. That precedent looms large over the current proceedings.
Political Fallout and Succession
If President Yoon is suspended, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume the role of acting president until the court issues a ruling. Should Yoon be removed, a snap presidential election would be required within 60 days.
The ruling People Power Party has rallied around the president, but internal fractures have already begun to emerge. A handful of conservative lawmakers have expressed discomfort with Yoon’s leadership style and hinted they may abstain or support the motion.
Meanwhile, DPK leader Lee Jae-myung—himself the runner-up in the 2022 presidential race—has signaled he would not seek the presidency again if Yoon is removed, instead backing a younger candidate to lead a transition government.
