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
Japan defence minister postpones South Korea visit, Kyodo says
Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani has decided to postpone a visit to South Korea, which was tentatively planned for later this month, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.
Earlier, South Korea's Defence Ministry said South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-hyun had offered to resign amid the furore over President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.
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.
Christopher McKeon looks into whether it is currently safe to travel to South Korea:
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
Zealous tourists unfazed by South Korea's sudden martial law turmoil
Many tourists in Seoul seemed largely unfazed by the political turmoil unfolding in the capital as they flocked Wednesday to the city's largest palace, local landmarks and shopping streets.
Some awoke to worried text messages from friends and family, who heard the news about President Yoon Suk Yeol's stunning martial law declaration Tuesday night. Yoon abruptly imposed emergency martial law, vowing to eliminate "anti-state" forces after he struggled to push forward his agenda in the opposition-dominated parliament.
But his martial law was effective for only about six hours, as the National Assembly voted to overrule the president. With the declaration formally lifted, tourists ventured from their hotels.
Early Wednesday at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of royal palaces, tourists wore traditional clothing rented from nearby shops as they posed for photos.
Emma Basnawi, visiting from Indonesia, said she thought "something big might happen" when she heard about the martial law declaration, and was a little concerned. But riots and protests aren't unusual back at home in Jakarta so she planned to stick to her itinerary as much as possible, she said.
Walking toward the palace with a tour group, Stephen Rowan, of Brisbane, Australia, said he wasn't worried. He had asked a friend from South Korea to help him understand what was happening.
"I would have been concerned if martial law had stayed enforced," he said.
Early Wednesday morning, police with shields arrived in the palace area, known historically as a popular protest site. But other than that, it seemed like a normal cold Seoul December morning.
Not far from the palace, tour groups wandered through the Bukchon Hanok Village, taking photos of the residential neighborhood and its many restored traditional houses.
Panic buying erupts in South Korea following president Yoon's martial law declaration
Sales of essentials like instant noodles, drinking water, and canned foods surged late Tuesday night following president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration, as citizens rushed to stock up in case of disruptions to their shopping routines, local media reported.
The panic buying began immediately after the declaration was broadcast at 10.25pm local time, with items flying off shelves at both online and physical stores, The Korea Times reported.
At convenience stores, sales increased rapidly. Between 11pm and midnight, one retailer saw a 75.9 per cent increase in canned food sales, a 37.4 per cent rise in bottled water, and a 28.1 per cent jump in instant noodle sales.
“The shopping rush was mostly active around residential areas and carried out by those in their 50s and 60s,” said a convenience franchise industry official.
Online platforms saw a similar surge. Real-time hot keywords on Naver showed “drinking water” jumping from 10th to 6th place in just one hour, while “milk”, “rice”, and “instant noodles” dominated searches on Homeplus’ website.
Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, man who declared martial law in South Korea?
South Korea is in turmoil after president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, only to revoke it hours later under immense pressure.
The decree, which marked the first attempt to impose such measures in over four decades, has sparked calls for his resignation and left the nation’s political landscape in disarray.
On Wednesday, opposition lawmakers filed a formal motion to impeach the president. It could be voted on as soon as Friday, said lawmaker Kim Yong-min.
My colleague Namita Singh takes a look at who exactly Mr Yoon is:
Who is Yoon Suk Yeol, man who declared martial law in South Korea?
President has thrown his country into political turmoil by briefly declaring martial law
How social media reacted to South Korea's martial law saga
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has reversed his decision to impose martial law in the country after widespread protests with opposition parties since filing a motion to impeach him.
Martial law is when military authorities temporarily rule in a time of emergency, when civil authorities are deemed to not be able to function.
Shortly after the president imposed martial law, CCTV footage revealed chaotic scenes where staffers used sofas and fire extinguishers to block soldiers armed with assault rifles and night-vision goggles from entering the national assembly.
Jake Brigstock reports:
How social media reacted to South Korea's martial law saga
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has reversed his decision to impose martial law in the country after widespread protests with opposition parties since filing a motion to impeach him.Martial law is when military authorities temporarily rule in a time of emergency, when civil authorities are deem...
South Korean president’s martial law decree sparks international concern
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday evening but lifted it within hours after backlash and a parliamentary motion from opposition lawmakers and members of his own party.
He justified the decree as targeting “anti-state actors” allegedly sympathetic to North Korea but it promptly triggered clashes between the military and protesters outside the National Assembly in Seoul.
The parliament moved quickly to annul the declaration, with 18 members of Mr Yoon’s ruling party voting with the opposition.
My colleague Maroosha Muzaffar reports:
South Korean president’s martial law decree sparks international concern
Foreign nations react as calls grow for president’s resignation and impeachment
Watch live: Protesters in South Korea hold vigil and march against President Yoon after martial law chaos
In pictures: Protesters line streets of Seoul for candlelit vigil
South Korean defence minister facing criminal charges of treason
South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-hyun — who reportedly requested the martial law decree — is facing impeachment and criminal charges of treason, The Korea Times reported.
The opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is calling for the removal of Mr Kim, president Yoon Suk Yeol, and interior minister Lee Sang-min, accusing them of issuing an unconstitutional order.
The outlet reported that Mr Kim, who had previously dismissed the possibility of martial law, is now under investigation for allegedly plotting the decree soon after taking office.
The impeachment process and investigation into his role are expected to move swiftly, it said.
Mr Kim also offered to resign this morning over Mr Yoon’s failed martial law, the Reuters reported.
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