Kathmandu, December 4
Lawmakers in South Korea have filed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol following an unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.
According to The Korea Times, the motion was submitted by six opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). A vote of no confidence is scheduled for Friday morning.
On Tuesday at 10:23 pm local time, President Yoon announced the implementation of martial law, citing the need to suppress “anti-national elements.” In a televised address, he claimed that the move was necessary to safeguard the country from threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces.
Immediately after the announcement, South Korea’s military suspended all political activities and parliamentary proceedings. However, the decision faced backlash, even from leaders within the president’s own party. Opposition lawmakers staged a protest outside the parliament building, condemning the action.
Nationwide protests erupted against the president’s decision, and under intense public pressure, he was forced to withdraw the martial law proposal on Wednesday morning. Despite this, demonstrations demanding action against the president for what is being labeled an unconstitutional maneuver have continued.
A spokesperson for the DPK stated, “We will soon file complaints against the defense minister and the minister of interior as well.”
The Korea Times reported that the defense minister had allegedly advised the president to impose martial law, while the interior minister had facilitated police mobilisation.
