South Korean president lifts martial law, faces impeachment risk

(CLO) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday morning he will lift the sudden martial law he abruptly imposed, a step back from a confrontation with the country's National Assembly .

Just hours earlier, the South Korean National Assembly voted to declare the order unconstitutional and demand its immediate repeal.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at midnight on Tuesday, vowing to crush “anti-state” forces in his fight against the opposition that controls the country’s National Assembly.

South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Wons-shik passed a resolution demanding the immediate lifting of martial law on Wednesday morning (December 4). Photo: Yonhap

Protesters outside the Capitol building shouted and clapped. "We won!" they chanted.

The main opposition Democratic Party has called on Mr Yoon, who is in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment.

“Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot escape charges of treason. It is clear to the entire nation that President Yoon can no longer run the country normally. He should resign,” senior DP member Park Chan-dae said in a statement.

Hundreds of protesters appeared to have gathered in front of South Korea's National Assembly, waving banners and calling for Mr. Yoon's impeachment, according to the AP news agency.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden move to declare martial law was condemned not only by the opposition but also by Yoon's own People Power Party. People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon called the decision to impose martial law "wrong" and vowed to "end it together with the people".

People watch South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speak on television in Seoul on Tuesday (December 3). Photo: AP

According to the South Korean constitution, martial law can be lifted by a majority vote in the National Assembly. Shortly after the announcement of his opposition to martial law, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called on all lawmakers gathered at the National Assembly on his YouTube channel. Woo also called on the military and law enforcement to “remain calm and maintain their positions.”

All 190 lawmakers who voted supported lifting martial law. Television footage showed soldiers stationed at the parliament building leaving the premises after the vote.

Hours earlier, television showed police blocking the entrance to the National Assembly and soldiers carrying submachine guns standing in front of the building.

An AP photographer saw at least three helicopters, possibly military, landing inside the Capitol grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site.

Quang Anh (according to AP, Korea Times, WSJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-han-quoc-do-bo-thiet-quan-luat-doi-mat-voi-nguy-co-bi-luan-toi-post324037.html