South Korea's opposition party sounds alarm over news of further martial law imposition.

Opposition Democratic Party lawmakers in South Korea are on high alert amid reports of another imposition of martial law, according to Yonhap.

South Korean news agencies reported on December 6th that opposition Democratic Party lawmakers would hold an emergency meeting that morning and were on high alert after receiving numerous reports of a second round of martial law.

Protesters demanded President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation in Seoul on the evening of December 5th.

President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation when he unexpectedly declared martial law late on December 3rd, but it was quickly lifted due to a vote by parliament that invalidated the ruling.

Speaking at a party meeting in parliament on December 6, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said President Yoon had ordered the arrest of several prominent politicians during the period of martial law on the grounds that they belonged to forces opposing the state, according to AFP.

The opposition Democratic Party proposed an impeachment vote against Yoon on the evening of December 7, while police launched an investigation into the president on charges of insurrection.

Ruling PPP party leader Han Dong-hoon speaks to reporters on his way to parliament on the evening of December 3.

On December 5, the PPP declared its opposition to impeachment, but Han suggested that this opinion might change in light of "clear evidence" that President Yoon intended to arrest political leaders.

"Yesterday I said that I would try not to pass this impeachment in order to prevent harm to the people and supporters from the sudden chaos, but I believe that President Yoon Suk Yeol needs to be suspended from office immediately to protect South Korea and its people from these newly revealed facts," Han said.

The politician did not call for impeachment and offered no further explanation when asked by reporters. "If President Yoon continues to hold the presidency, there is a high risk that similar extremist actions as the declaration of martial law could be repeated, putting South Korea and its people at great threat," the PPP leader said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung argued that the declaration of martial law was an act of rebellion by the president aimed at maintaining or increasing his power. "It's an act of rebellion. It's a military-backed coup," Lee said, calling for the president's authority to be removed immediately. Yoon defeated Lee in the presidential election in May 2022.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dang-doi-lap-han-quoc-bao-dong-truc-tin-co-them-thiet-quan-luat-185241206090252363.htm