South Korea opposition files impeachment motion against president
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Only hours after an initial announcement to impeach Yoon, six of South Korea's parties, including the main opposition party, submitted a motion to indict the president.
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Protesters stage a rally to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. The signs read "Punish." (AP)
South Korea's opposition parties have collectively filed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his brief declaration of martial law in the country.
"We've submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently," the representatives of six parties, including the main opposition party, told reporters during a press release. The vote is expected to take place on December 6-7, Sputnik reported, citing local media.
The Democratic Party of Korea, the main opposition, said it would initiate impeachment proceedings against Yoon Suk Yeol unless he immediately resigned, only a few hours before the submission was made.
If Yoon "does not resign immediately, the Democratic Party will immediately initiate impeachment proceedings in line with the will of the people," it said in a statement.
The opposition later announced that it would file charges of insurrection against Yoon, his defense minister, interior minister, and other key military and police figures involved in carrying out the martial law orders.
A collectively recognized debacle
The martial law debacle has drawn swift criticism not only from the country's opposition but the president's own party.
Yoon's own party, the People Power Party, has described the president's attempt to impose martial law as "tragic." The party also called for those involved in the move to be held accountable.
"The president must directly and thoroughly explain this tragic situation," People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon told reporters in a televised broadcast, adding that "all those responsible must be held strictly accountable."
Senior aides working for Yoon also offered to resign en masse, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
"Yoon's senior aides offer to resign en masse over martial law declaration," Yonhap said.
Read more: South Korea parliament rejects president's martial law declaration
