“To the people, we hope your end of year will be a little happier now, and all your cancelled year-end celebrations to be restored,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, as he announced the result.
“The future of the Republic of Korea and our hope is in the hands of the people, our hope is strong,” said Woo, a member of the main opposition Democratic Party.
There has been strong public support for Yoon’s impeachment – recent polls found three-quarters of South Koreans wanted to see him go.
The constitutional court now has 180 days to rule on whether Yoon should be impeached or restored. If it rules to impeach, an election for the next president must be called within 60 days.
Yoon has been suspended while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as acting president.
However, Han and the finance minister Choi Sang-mok, who is next in line for the presidency, are both involved in an ongoing police probe over last week’s events.
In a statement following the vote, Yoon said he is “temporarily stopping my journey” but that he “will never give up”.
“I will take your criticism, praise, and support to the heart and do my best for the country until the end,” he said.
Outside the National Assembly, where tens of thousands of protesters gathered throughout the day despite the bitter cold, many spoke of their determination to see Yoon permanently leave office.
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