South Korea lawmakers support suspending president’s powers after martial law

South Korean lawmakers are currently in the midst of a political turmoil as they call for suspending the constitutional powers of President Yoon Suk Yeol. This call comes after President Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration earlier this week, which has sparked outrage and chaos in the country. The opposition parties are now pushing for a parliamentary vote on Yoon’s impeachment, labeling his martial law declaration as an “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.”

The dramatic events unfolded late Tuesday night when President Yoon declared martial law, a move that took the country by surprise and sent shockwaves through democratic allies. However, South Korea’s parliament swiftly voted to cancel martial law just six hours later, but the repercussions of this episode are still being felt. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Seoul since Wednesday, demanding Yoon’s resignation and calling for an investigation into his actions.

Passing an impeachment motion would require support from some members of the president’s People Power Party to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority. The opposition parties, with a combined total of 192 seats, have initiated the impeachment motion, while the PPP, with 108 lawmakers, holds a crucial role in the decision-making process.

During a party meeting, PPP leader Han Dong-hun emphasized the urgency of suspending Yoon’s presidential duties and powers, citing the risk of potential extreme actions by the president. Han stated that there were reports of Yoon ordering the arrests of certain politicians on accusations of “anti-state activities” during martial law.

Han, who leads a minority faction within the ruling party, revealed that 18 lawmakers from his faction had voted alongside opposition members to overturn Yoon’s martial law decree. If Yoon is impeached, he would be suspended pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential powers.

The main liberal opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has also echoed the sentiment of suspending Yoon as quickly as possible, emphasizing the need for swift action. Lee condemned Yoon’s martial law enforcement as a “rebellion and self-coup,” highlighting the damage caused to the country’s image and foreign policy paralysis. The Biden administration and foreign leaders have criticized Yoon’s actions, leading to canceled visits to South Korea.

President Yoon has remained silent in response to Han’s comments and has not made any public appearances since the lifting of martial law. The situation in South Korea remains tense as the political landscape continues to evolve.

In conclusion, the political crisis in South Korea underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. The fate of President Yoon hangs in the balance as lawmakers navigate the impeachment process, with the eyes of the nation and the international community closely watching the developments unfold.

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