South Korean Lawmakers Propose Impeaching President Amid Martial Law Chaos
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday proposed impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol, a day after he unexpectedly declared martial law, causing a chaotic standoff between the parliament and the army, and damaging the country’s standing.
Yoon had declared martial law late Tuesday, attempting to ban political activity and censor the media in South Korea, prompting a reaction from the armed forces, opposition parties and protesters. However, Yoon rescinded the decree after parliament voted to reverse it.
Six opposition parties submitted a bill to the parliament to impeach the president, with voting expected to take place on Friday or Saturday. The government’s Defence Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, resigned, and the entire cabinet was called on to quit.
The crisis has also affected global financial markets, with South Korea’s key stock index plunging by 1.4 percent, making it the worst-performing major stock market in Asia this year.
Yoon cited no specific threats when announcing the need for martial law, arguing it was necessary to protect the country from pro-North Korean anti-state forces and protect the free constitutional order. However, some critics have questioned the lack of transparency and the hurried nature of the decision, which was taken without alerting the US government.