South Korean lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of declaring unconstitutional martial law to avoid criminal investigations. The president's future remains uncertain as political unrest escalates.
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App South Korea n lawmakers kickstarted a push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol in the early hours of Thursday, accusing him of declaring martial law to stop criminal investigations into himself and his family.
After jumping fences and tussling with security forces to get into parliament and vote down the martial law overnight, opposition lawmakers filed a motion to impeach Yoon. The main opposition Democratic Party has also filed a complaint of"insurrection" against the president, some of his ministers and top military and police officials -- which can carry a penalty of life imprisonment or even death.
Even the leader of Yoon's own ruling party described the martial law attempt as"tragic" while calling for those involved to be held accountable. Senior aides to Yoon offered to resign en masse Wednesday, as did the defence minister, who said he took"full responsibility for the confusion and concern" around the martial law declaration.The repeal of martial law prompted jubilation among flag-waving protesters outside parliament who had braved freezing temperatures to keep vigil through the night in defiance of Yoon's order.
IMPEACHMENT PRESIDENT YOON MARTIAL LAW CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SOUTH KOREA POLITICAL UNREST