The head of the ruling party in South Korea called on Friday for the “immediate suspension” of President Yoon Suk Yeol for his initiative to impose martial law and assured that its permanence is a “great danger” for the country.
The surprising statements by Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP), leave the president practically alone facing the vote on an impeachment motion scheduled for Saturday in the National Assembly.
The People Power Party leader acknowledged receiving intelligence information indicating that Yoon had ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain several politicians — whose names were not revealed — based on accusations of “anti-national activities” during martial law.
On Thursday, Han had stated that he would work to defeat the impeachment motion, although he called the declaration of martial law “unconstitutional However, the next day, the leader maintained that the president represents a “significant risk of extreme actions, such as attempting to reimpose martial law, which could seriously endanger the Republic of Korea and its citizens.”
“Taking into account the new facts, I believe that a quick suspension of the president’s duties to safeguard the Republic of Korea and its people,” said the leader,
In the context of the martial law announced by Yoon, the opposition led by the Democratic Party presented this Thursday its intention to vote in the National Assembly on Saturday on an initiative to remove the president. For the proposal to succeed, it is necessary to have the support of two-thirds of the deputies.
The PD, which has a clear majority of 192 seats, must obtain eight additional votes from the 108 deputies of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP). If the motion is approved, Yoon would be temporarily suspended while the Constitutional Court decides whether to keep him in office or permanently remove him.
If impeached, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume the presidency and new elections would be called within 60 days.
The president of South Korea declared a state of emergency and declared martial law against the “communist forces”
The conflict in South Korea broke out last Tuesday, when Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, with the aim of protecting the country from “communist forces.” He argued that the opposition was carrying out “anti-state activities” and that they were sympathetic to North Korea.
“To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by communist forces in North Korea and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon announced in a televised speech. live to the nation.
For his part, Park An-su, the commander in charge of applying martial law, provided more details about the measure, which generated shock among the population and concern among the authorities of the United States, an allied country. Park stated that “all political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited.” Furthermore, along the same lines, it was established that the media would be subject to control.