South Korean president Yoon has been impeached

Quick post — South Korea’s National Assembly has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law*:

South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday in an extraordinary rebuke that came about after his own ruling party turned on him following his refusal to resign over his short-lived martial law attempt.    

It is the second time in less than a decade that a South Korean leader has faced impeachment proceedings in office and means Yoon is suspended from exercising his powers until the decision is finally adjudicated by the country’s Constitutional Court.

Here’s what happens next:

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will likely take the helm while Yoon becomes the third South Korean president to face impeachment proceedings expected to last months.

The proceedings in the Constitutional Court’s review could take up to 180 days and if the court rules against the president, he would be forced out of office, triggering a presidential election within 60 days.

If the court finds him guilty of rebellion or treason, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty:

Though the president is generally immune from prosecution while in office, that does not include allegations of rebellion or treason.

Park Se-hyun, who is leading a special headquarters to investigate Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration, said Sunday that Yoon had been booked as a suspect on a number of charges, including treason.

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* To get caught up on the background behind the impeachment vote, see the following community diaries:

• What’s going on in South Korea
• New revelations about failed coup attempt in South Korea
• Latest developments from South Korea in wake of failed coup attempt