South Korean parliament removes President Yoon, sparking street celebrations
The EU calls for "a swift and orderly resolution" of the political crisis in Seoul.
Lawmakers in South Korea voted in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol after he controversially declared martial law earlier this month.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo takes over the position of president, with the BBC reporting that he vowed to “stabilize the situation” and “bring back normalcy for the people.”
The leader of Yoon’s People’s Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, told the media that he accepted the outcome.
The EU put out a short statement after lawmakers in the National Assembly in Seoul had voted Yoon out of office, saying “it is important now to ensure a swift and orderly resolution of the current political crisis in line with the Korean Constitution.”
Yoon’s move on Dec. 3 to impose martial law was widely characterized as an attempt to grab power after suffering a political defeat in April, when his party didn’t manage to win the majority from the opposition.
Korean citizens who were camping out in central Seoul to protest Yoon’s martial law and the ensuing crisis rejoiced when they learned of the impeachment vote. Many people celebrated with light sticks that fans often bring to concerts of the country’s massively popular K-pop stars.
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