Lawmakers in South Korea have narrowly failed to impeach the nation’s president over his short-lived attempt to declare martial law.
A bill to censure Yoon Suk Yeol fell five votes short of the 200 needed to pass, with many members of parliament in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote.
The South Korean premier caused widespread outrage by announcing martial law, a move tied to the country’s history of authoritarianism, in an effort to resolve a political deadlock.
Yoon’s declaration was quickly overturned by parliament, before his government rescinded it a few hours later in the midst of large protests.
The impeachment bill needed a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to pass, meaning at least eight PPP MPs would have to vote in favour.
However, all but three walked out of the chamber earlier on Saturday.
One of those who remained, Cho Kyung-tae, credited Yoon’s apology for the martial law decree on Saturday morning – after three days out of public view – as having influenced his decision not to back impeachment this time.
“The president’s apology and his willingness to step down early, as well as delegating all political agendas to the party, did have an impact on my decision,” he told the BBC ahead of the vote.
