President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party in South Korea is opposing efforts to impeach him after his failed attempt to impose martial law. The defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, resigned following the chaotic six-hour period of martial law that ultimately ended. Yoon appointed retired four-star army general Choi Byung-hyuk as Kim’s successor. Yoon’s office defended the declaration of martial law as necessary due to an impasse with opposition lawmakers. However, the public protested and lawmakers voted to reject martial law.
Opposition lawmakers plan to vote on the impeachment motion on Saturday, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly. The impeachment motion was submitted by 191 lawmakers from six opposition parties and one independent lawmaker. The People Power Party opposes the motion, but if it passes, the Constitutional Court will hold a trial to confirm the impeachment within 180 days.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell criticized Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, saying it was “deeply illegitimate.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the Biden administration was not informed of the announcement ahead of time but emphasized the importance of following the constitutional process. The strength of South Korean democracy was highlighted as people from different political backgrounds united in opposition to martial law. Protesters called for Yoon to resign, and the future of his presidency depends on the outcome of the impeachment vote.
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