South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment vote over martial law as minister offers to resign: Live
Protesters gather at Gwanghwamun Square and outside national assembly with placards reading ‘Restore Democracy’
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Your support makes all the difference.Protests continued to sweep Seoul as South Koreans called for president Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation following his declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law in the country.
There were deep divisions in Yoon’s ruling People Power Party as well, as its leader called for Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign, with the defence ministry saying Kim has now offered to resign.
Protesters gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and outside the national assembly on Wednesday, holding placards with messages such as “Restore Democracy” and “Investigate his act of rebellion immediately”.
South Korean opposition parties filed a motion to impeach the president. “We’ve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently,” representatives from six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, said. They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday.
New CCTV footage revealed chaotic scenes in South Korea’s parliament after the martial law declaration. Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage showed.
Helicopters deployed armed troops to parliament, while others scaled fences and smashed windows after midnight, assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki said.
The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Mr Yoon’s own party.
Why did South Korea declare martial law and what is next for Yoon Suk Yeol?
Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, man who declared martial law in South Korea?
In pictures: South Korea’s history of military coups and martial law as president Yoon faces impeachment calls
Asian stocks drop amid South Korea’s political unrest as won hits two-year low
Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked
How impeachments work in South Korea
South Korean lawmakers are planning to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol, adding to the country’s history of presidential impeachments. This follows the martial law crisis that threw the entire nation into a tizzy yesterday.
The process of impeachment in South Korea requires a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and approval from the constitutional court.
Previous impeachments in South Korea include Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2016, and Roh Moo-hyun, who was reinstated in 2004.
CCTV footages reveals chaotic scenes inside South Korea’s parliament after Yoon’s declaration
New CCTV footage released today revealed the chaotic scenes in South Korea’s parliament after president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration.
Staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly, the footage shows.
Helicopters brought heavily armed troops into the parliamentary compound, while other soldiers climbed fences and smashed windows to gain entry after midnight, described as an “unconstitutional and illegal” act by assembly secretary general Kim Min-ki.
“We will identify the physical damages and losses caused by the declaration of martial law and hold those responsible accountable through legal action.”
Opposition parties file motion to impeach president Yoon
South Korean opposition parties announced today that they have filed a motion to impeach president Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief declaration of martial law.
“We’ve submitted an impeachment motion prepared urgently,” representatives from six opposition parties, including the main Democratic Party, said during a live press briefing.
They indicated the vote could happen as soon as Friday, AFP reported.
Meanwhile, president Yoon’s office defended the martial law declaration, calling it “justified and within the bounds of the constitution” and denied that martial law forces interfered with lawmakers’ access to parliament.
Mr Yoon reversed the order hours later after parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.
White House ‘relieved’ after lifting of martial law in South Korea
The United States expressed relief after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his martial law declaration.
A White House official said that “democracy is at the foundation of the US-ROK alliance” and said that the US was “seriously concerned” before the reversal.
The spokesperson added: “We are relieved president Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the ROK National Assembly’s vote to end it”, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
The spokesperson said that they would continue to monitor the situation.
Protests intensify in Seoul as South Koreans demand president Yoon’s resignation
Protests intensify in Seoul as South Koreans demand president Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation following his declaration and subsequent reversal of martial law.
Demonstrators gathered at Gwanghwamun Square and outside the national assembly, holding placards reading “Restore Democracy” and “Investigate his act of rebellion immediately”.
Opposition lawmakers joined the rallies, escalating calls for Yoon’s resignation and impeachment, with opposition parties advancing a bill to suspend him.
Asian stocks drop amid South Korea’s political unrest as won hits two-year low
Asian markets retreated Wednesday after overnight political drama in South Korea added to regional uncertainties, though the Kospi in Seoul fell less than 2 per cent.
US futures rose while oil prices were little changed.
South Korea PresidentYoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night local time, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He accused pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. The martial law was revoked about six hours later.
On Wednesday, South Korea’s main opposition party called for President Yoon to resign immediately or face impeachment.
Read more here:
Asian stocks drop amid South Korea’s political unrest as won hits two-year low
Asian markets are mostly lower after overnight political drama in South Korea added to regional uncertainties
Why did South Korea declare martial law and what is next for Yoon Suk Yeol?
South Korea‘s president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a surprise late-night television address, invoking the threat from North Korea and accusing the country’s opposition of paralysing the government by controlling parliament.
He did not cite any specific threats from Pyongyang and focused on his political opponents.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Mr Yoon said.
South Korea’s parliament then voted through a motion calling the declaration invalid. This was the first time in over four decades that the country had been put under martial law.
Read the full story here:
Why did South Korea declare martial law and what is next for Yoon Suk Yeol?
President Yoon Suk Yeol hit out at political opponents in declaring martial law but parliament passed a motion calling it invalid
Protests in Seoul as lawmakers call for president’s resignation
Amid growing calls for president Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation, a coalition of lawmakers has threatened impeachment if he does not step down, planning to vote on a bill within 72 hours.
“The parliament should focus on immediately suspending the president’s business to pass an impeachment bill soonest,” Hwang Un-ha, a member of the coalition said.
The leader of Mr Yoon’s ruling People Power Party has called for defence minister Kim Yong-hyun’s dismissal and the resignation of the entire cabinet.
Protests are expected, with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions planning a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Mr Yoon resigns.
Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked
British nationals in South Korea have been advised to avoid political demonstrations following the president’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday. By early Wednesday, the president reversed the decision after a dramatic night in which troops surrounded parliament, and lawmakers voted to block military rule.
Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces as he suspended parliament, banned political gatherings and ordered the end of a long-running doctors’ strike on Tuesday.
Following the declaration, the UK Foreign Office issued new travel advice warning British nationals to ‘follow the advice of local authorities’ and ‘avoid political demonstrations’.
Read more here:
Is it safe to travel to South Korea? Foreign Office update after martial law blocked
On Tuesday, South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol claimed he had declared martial law to protect the country from ‘anti-state’ forces
US embassy in South Korea issues emergency alert
The US embassy in South Korea issued an emergency alert today, advising American citizens to exercise caution following the lifting of martial law in the country.
The embassy said that the situation remained “fluid” after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was overturned by the National Assembly.
“Following President Yoon’s announcement to lift the martial law declaration, the situation remains fluid,” the embassy said on its website.
“US citizens should anticipate potential disruptions. When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions,” the posting said, Yonhap news agency reported.
The embassy also announced the cancellation of routine consular appointments and visa services for the day.
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