South Korean lawmakers have put forth a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk-Yeol. The move comes less than 24 hours after he declared martial law.
“I declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces to immediately eradicate the unscrupulous pro-Pyongyang antistate forces that pillage the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect free constitutional order,” Yoon announced on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the opposition Democratic Party and five other opposition parties submitted the impeachment motion. The motion obtained 190 signatures from opposition lawmakers and one independent lawmakers.
The impeachment motion needs eight votes from those in the People Power Party to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass.
“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution. It didn’t abide by any requirements to declare it,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. “His martial law declaration was originally invalid and a grave violation of the constitution. It was a grave act of rebellion and provides perfect grounds for his impeachment.”
Fox News reported that several members of Yoon’s administration have offered to resign. Several of the senior advisers, secretaries, and Cabinet members have indicated they may step down. Members of the South Korean State Council reportedly expressed similar intentions.
