South Korean opposition plans to accuse president of high treason – media
The opposition Democratic Party of South Korea plans to accuse President Yoon Seok-yeol, who announced the introduction of martial law in the country the day before, of high treason and launch impeachment proceedings.
Source: South Korean news agency Yonhap
Quote: "The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said it will file treason charges against Yoon as well as his defense and interior ministers and impeach them to hold them accountable for the action."
Details: Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called the declared martial law "illegal" and said that Yoon "is no longer the president" of South Korea.
The parliament must vote to start impeachment proceedings within 72 hours after the proposal is submitted to the plenary session, which requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-member parliament.
The news agency notes that the Democratic Party and other small opposition parties together hold 192 seats, meaning that at least 8 of the ruling party's 108 MPs would have to support the impeachment for it to pass.
In case of success, the Constitutional Court will then decide whether Yoon's removal from office is justified.
Yoon's constitutional powers will be suspended while the case is being considered by the court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will assume presidential duties.
Background:
- On Tuesday, 3 December, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency and martial law in South Korea. In a televised address to the nation, he stated that the move was necessary to protect the country from "communist forces".
- Yoon did not cite a specific threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, instead focusing on domestic political opponents.
- On 4 December, the National Assembly of South Korea voted on Wednesday to demand that President Yoon rescind the declaration of martial law.
- After that, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced that martial law in the country will be lifted at a government meeting.
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