SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea’s ruling party leader called for a Yoon Suspension Demand, claiming President Yoon Suk Yeol should be removed from power. The leader accused Yoon of attempting to impose martial law. Meanwhile, the government denied reports of preparing another martial law declaration.
Yoon shocked the nation and his ruling People Power Party on Tuesday by giving the military sweeping emergency powers. He aimed to root out “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents.
He rescinded the declaration about six hours later. Parliament, including some members of his party, voted to oppose the decree.
The main opposition Democratic Party held meetings on Friday to discuss impeachment. They have scheduled a vote for Saturday evening.
Speaking after a People Power Party meeting at the parliament on Friday, leader Han Dong-hoon said Yoon had ordered the arrest of prominent politicians on the grounds they were among those “anti-state forces” during the martial law.
The presidential office later denied any such order had been given, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Opposition lawmakers rotated through parliament’s plenary session hall to block any attempt to declare martial law, a Democratic Party official said. They feared another attempt to impose martial law.
Acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho said reports there may be another attempt to impose martial law were not true.
Han said earlier there was “a high risk of extreme actions such as this emergency martial law being repeated” while Yoon remained in power, putting the country in “great danger”.
If parliament votes to impeach, the Yoon Suspension Demand would result in the president being suspended from power. The prime minister would lead in an acting capacity until the impeachment trial.
