South Korea: Major Opposition Party to Vote on Impeachment of President Yoon This Saturday

Seoul, Dec 5 (NationPress) The principal opposition party in South Korea, the Democratic Party (DP), declared on Thursday its plans to initiate a vote on Saturday concerning an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol linked to his announcement of martial law and its subsequent repeal.

The DP, along with five smaller opposition parties, has filed an impeachment motion, asserting that Yoon's declaration of martial law represented breaches of the Constitution and various laws, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

On Tuesday evening, Yoon invoked martial law, alleging anti-state actions by opposition groups. However, it was revoked just six hours later after facing rejection from 190 parliament members.

Cho Seung-rae, the DP's deputy spokesperson, indicated that the vote on the motion is anticipated around 7 p.m. Saturday, allowing lawmakers from the ruling party sufficient time to consider their stance on Yoon's actions.

The motion was introduced at a plenary session of the National Assembly early Wednesday. According to legal stipulations, an impeachment motion must be voted on within 72 hours of being reported.

A two-thirds majority is necessary for the motion to succeed, which would require the backing of at least eight members from the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon has vowed to mobilize efforts to prevent the motion from passing, which would result in an immediate suspension of Yoon's presidential responsibilities.

The DP also plans to request a revote on a bill demanding a special counsel investigation into allegations of corruption and election interference involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee during the impeachment vote on Saturday.

This bill, which Yoon has vetoed for the third time, necessitates a two-thirds majority to override the veto.