South Korea’s National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a significant political upheaval following a revolt within his own ruling party after he declined to resign over a brief attempt to impose martial law.

This marks the second instance in less than ten years that a South Korean president has encountered impeachment proceedings while in office, resulting in Yoon being suspended from his duties until the Constitutional Court reaches a final decision.

Yoon’s decision to implement military rule on December 3 was retracted within six hours, as the opposition-led parliament defied military and police forces to reject the decree. This action has led to a constitutional crisis and sparked widespread demands for his resignation, citing legal violations.

The conservative People Power Party (PPP) of Yoon had previously boycotted the initial impeachment vote a week prior, which hindered the establishment of a quorum.

Should the court decide to remove Yoon or if he chooses to resign, a presidential election will be required within 60 days. Additionally, Yoon is currently under criminal investigation for alleged insurrection related to the martial law declaration, and he has been prohibited from traveling abroad. He has not indicated any intention to resign and, in a recent speech, asserted his determination to “fight to the end,” defending his martial law declaration as essential to resolving political stalemate and safeguarding democracy from domestic threats.