South Korea's leader is facing growing calls for him to resign or face martial law
On Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced pressure from lawmakers and the public to step down or be fired after ending martial law, which led to the military surrounding parliament, which he had called hours earlier.
Yoon's top advisers and secretaries offered to resign together. Members of the president's Cabinet, including Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, have also faced calls for his resignation. All members of South Korea's National Assembly have reportedly expressed their intention to resign.
On Tuesday night, Yoon suddenly imposed martial law and promised to eliminate “anti-national” forces after struggling to get his plan through the opposition-dominated parliament. Martial law, however, has been in effect for about six hours since the National Assembly voted to overturn the president's decision.
Martial law was officially lifted at a cabinet meeting at around 4:30 am
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People watch a TV screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's televised press conference at a bus station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Lawyers have filed a motion to impeach the president over his declaration of martial law.
The opposition Democratic Party, which holds the majority in parliament, threatened earlier this day that its lawyers will take measures to criticize the president if he does not resign immediately.
“President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was a clear violation of the constitution. He did not comply with any of the requirements to declare it,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. “His declaration of martial law was initially illegal and unconstitutional. It was a heinous act of treason and provides full grounds for impeachment.”
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a pre-recorded interview with KBS television at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Office of the South Korean President via AP, File)
Removing the president from office would require the approval of two-thirds of parliament's 300 members. The Democratic Party and other small opposition parties together form 192 seats. But 18 lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party voted against the president's decision when parliament rejected Yoon's declaration of martial law by a vote of 190-0.
The leader of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hun, condemned Yoon's declaration of martial law as “unconstitutional.”
If Yoon is fired, he will not have his constitutional powers until the Constitutional Court rules on his future. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, South Korea's second-in-command, will assume his presidential duties.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol raises his hand as he arrives to address a joint session of Congress, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Amid calls for Yoon's cabinet to resign, Han issued a public message asking for patience and asking cabinet members to “fulfill your duty even after this time.”
Yoon's declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Scenes of military intervention have not been seen since South Korea achieved true democracy in the late 1980s.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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