The impeachment motion filed against Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korean president, by the country’s opposition parties has failed.
The motion fell through on Saturday after close to 108 members of Yeol’s People Power Party (PPP) staged a walkout from the legislative chamber.
The opposition parties needed just eight votes from the PPP to achieve the two-thirds majority required for the motion’s approval. However, the ruling party’s boycott forced the proceedings to close due to insufficient participation.
The move to impeach Yoel followed the president’s shocking martial law declaration in the country.
Yoel said he imposed the law to “thwart anti-state forces”.
Martial law is the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers.
After the declaration, troops carrying full battle gear, including assault rifles, tried to take over the national assembly.
Lawmakers had to climb walls to access the building before unanimously voting to lift the order.
All 190 lawmakers who made it into the assembly voted against the law.
After pressure and protests, Yeol announced the reversal of his earlier order after six hours.
While the failed impeachment motion meant Yoel would remain in office, he is going through a precarious period in the Blue House.
Citizens of the country are still on the streets in thousands to protest against his leadership, and his approval ratings have nosedived.
