We’re less than 2 hours away from the impeachment.
We now go over to the Yongsan Presidential Office where our correspondent Oh Soo-young is standing by.
1. Soo-young, what’s the mood there like, as the President awaits the National Assembly’s vote?
It remains quiet within the office of the President as it has been for days as the Yoon Suk Yeol administration waits for the fateful vote by the National Assembly.
It’s also calm outside with no traffic or crowds, as all the action will be in Parliament.
The President’s aides are on duty, but keeping away from the press of course.
Senior secretaries here will be convening to monitor and review the situation and discuss various scenarios, to preapre for the result of the impeachment vote when it is out.
As for President Yoon, it seems he will be watching the situation from his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu District.
2. The last time we heard from President Yoon himself was on Thursday, where he gave an almost half-hour televised address.
Just briefly, let’s go over the highlights of the speech and what this indicates about his position.
In his 29-minute speech, President Yoon Suk Yeol claimed he had imposed martial law as a presidential act of governance, in order to save and protect South Korea’s democracy from what he’s called anti-state forces, criminal groups, as well as national security risks posed by North Korea and Chinese spies.
Yoon mainly argued that, for the past two years, the opposition party has constantly tried to unseat him and members of his administration, as well as obstruct their major policies, making governance impossible.
Then, he insisted martial law was a political decision made legally under his executive authority.
So his speech seemed to be an attempt to defend and justify himself as investigators close in on him on charges of possible insurrection, and as he said he would fight to the end, indicating he would not resign but rather face impeachment proceedings.
3. What are the consequences for Yoon today? What powers would he continue to retain if he is or isn’t impeached?
If impeached, Yoon will receive a notification from the National Assembly, freezing his duties as president for up to 180 days during which the Constitutional Court would review his impeachment.
It took about three hours for the notification to reach former President Park Geun-hye eight years ago.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take over as interim leader, and only Yoon’s title as president would be retained, as a suspended president cannot exercise any powers, including diplomatic authority, appointment or dismissal of public officials, or command of the armed forces.
The suspended president also cannot receive reports or give orders to public officials such as the prime minister and Cabinet ministers, nor attend National Assembly sessions.
However, the president is entitled to protocol privileges such as residing in the presidential residence, using official vehicles and aircraft, and receiving security services.
His office would also remain, with senior secretaries proceeding to answer to him as usual.
If he is not impeached: he would retain his title but it’s likely his credibility and ability to govern will be damaged, and as investigations into insurrection charges will continue, leading to his possible arrest.
If he’s arrested, the question would be whether he’s judged to be temporarily unable to perform duties, OR whether this creates a “vacancy.”
If he’s deemed unable to perform his duties, in line with Article 71 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister would take over as interim leader, but if his arrest is considered a vacancy, in line with Article 68, an election must be called within sixty days.
Thanks Soo-young for your report today.
We appreciate it as always.
source : https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279023
