The head of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s governing party, Han Dong-hoon, has expressed a shift in position towards supporting Yoon’s removal as president due to his declaration of martial law and subsequent chaos. Han cited Yoon’s order to arrest prominent politicians as well as declaring martial law as reasons for suspending Yoon from his mandate to protect South Korea. This change in stance by Han has increased the likelihood of Yoon being impeached when a vote is held. The opposition bloc, holding 192 seats in the legislature, is close to the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment.
Yoon, who is deeply unpopular with an approval rating of 19%, had blamed opposition lawmakers for paralyzing the government, leading to the martial law declaration. The impeachment motion, if passed, would suspend Yoon from office pending a decision by the Constitutional Court. There are also investigations into claims of insurrection and treason against Yoon and other government officials.
Amidst concerns that Yoon might declare martial law again, Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and special forces commander Kwak Jong-keun have expressed refusal to comply with such an order. The U.S. has expressed deep concerns about the martial law declaration but reaffirmed its alliance with South Korea. Meetings and exercises between the U.S. and South Korea have been postponed due to the turmoil in South Korea. The chaotic hours following Yoon’s martial law declaration, including troops infiltrating the National Election Commission headquarters, have raised further concerns about the state of democracy in South Korea.
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