SOUTH KOREA’S PARLIAMENT has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration this month.

The National Assembly passed the motion in a 204-85 vote on Saturday.

Mr Yoon’s presidential powers and duties will be suspended after the copies of a document on the impeachment are delivered to him and to the Constitutional Court.

The court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Mr Yoon as president or restore his powers.

If he is thrown out of office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

A Seoul police official earlier told reporters at least 200,000 people had massed outside parliament in support of removing the president.

On the other side of Seoul near Gwanghwamun square, police estimated 30,000 had rallied in support of Yoon, blasting patriotic songs and waving South Korean and American flags.

“Yoon had no choice but to declare martial law. I approve of every decision he has made as president,” supporter Choi Hee-sun, 62, said before the vote.

The South Korean president has vowed to fight on and doubled down on unsubstantiated claims the opposition is in league with the country’s communist foes.