MBC's PD Note Examines the 11 Days Leading to President Yoon's Impeachment

MBC's PD Note (PD수첩) is set to focus on the critical 11 days from President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law to the passing of the impeachment motion. The program aims to capture the public's attention once again, potentially achieving a viewership rating of 8%.

On December 3, the announcement of martial law became a significant misstep for President Yoon. Outraged citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly, fueled by shocking testimonies from key figures involved in the emergency measures. Yoon's claims that the martial law was a necessary decision to protect constitutional order failed to calm the public's anger.

Ultimately, on December 14, just 11 days later, the National Assembly voted on the impeachment motion, resulting in 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 members present. International media hailed the passing of the impeachment motion as a 'victory for democracy.' The PD Note team documented the day when public outrage culminated in this historic decision.

# The Tense Atmosphere on Impeachment Day

According to Article 65, Section 2 of the Constitution, a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly is required to pass an impeachment motion against the president. With 192 opposition members in the 22nd National Assembly, at least 8 votes from the ruling People Power Party (국민의힘) were necessary for the motion to pass.

During the first impeachment vote on December 7, 105 members of the People Power Party abstained, rendering the vote invalid. Although some members later expressed their support for impeachment, uncertainty loomed over the outcome. As the second vote approached, tension filled the National Assembly and its surroundings.

On the day of the impeachment vote, an estimated 2 million people gathered outside the National Assembly. While the atmosphere resembled a festival with lively music and free giveaways, deep-seated anger towards President Yoon simmered beneath the surface. Citizens braved the cold to voice their discontent. What drove them to the streets?

# Shocking Revelations Surrounding the Martial Law

On December 12, President Yoon addressed the nation, claiming that the martial law was declared to restore constitutional order in response to the actions of the opposition party. He insisted that deploying troops to the National Assembly was solely for maintaining order and not to paralyze its functions.

However, subsequent revelations contradicted the president's narrative. Former Special Forces Commander Kwak Jong-geun testified that during the martial law, Yoon ordered the removal of assembly members gathered to discuss lifting the martial law. Allegations also surfaced that the government attempted to provoke a localized conflict with North Korea to justify the martial law. Was the martial law truly a measure to restore constitutional order as Yoon claimed? The PD Note team revisited the intentions behind the martial law based on these testimonies.

Recently, PD Note achieved a viewership rating of 8.2% during a special broadcast on December 9, a significant increase compared to its usual ratings of around 2%. The program's ability to maintain this momentum in regular broadcasts remains to be seen. Viewers' ongoing interest will be revealed in tonight's episode airing at 10:20 PM.