The leader of the ruling party in South Korea, Han Dong-hoonurged this Friday “immediately” suspend President Yoon Suk-yeol of his functions, after learning that the president ordered the arrests of top political leadersincluding Han himself, during the martial law that he surprisingly proclaimed on Tuesday.
“I believe it is necessary to immediately suspend President Yoon Suk-yeol from his duties to protect the Republic of Korea and its people”Han stated during an emergency meeting at the National Assembly.
Han stated that he has “credible evidence” that the South Korean president gave orders to arrest him, as leader of his own party, or Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP). Furthermore, he warned that these “radical actions,” which in his opinion put the country “in great danger,” could be repeated if the president, who will face a vote in Parliament this Saturday for his dismissal, remains in power.
Local media, such as the newspaper Chosunrevealed that Yoon gave direct instructions to the Counterintelligence Commander, Yeo In-hyungto prepare the arrests, even mobilizing military units. These actions have generated a strong reaction within the People’s Power Party (PPP) and in the opposition, with calls to remove the president to prevent him from repeating these types of measures.
On Thursday, Han had advocated block impeachment process and another official from the conservative party assured that its 108 deputies would support Yoon in Parliament.
But Yoon’s refusal to acknowledge errors in the declaration of martial law on Tuesday night and “credible indications” that he ordered the arrest of top politicians during those hours prompted a change of position in the PPP.
Yoon suspended civil order on Tuesday night and deployed troops and helicopters to Parliament where, in the midst of citizen protests, opposition deputies managed to sneak in to vote against the law.
Hours later, faced with the indignation generated in South Korea and the astonishment of his allies with the surprising measure, the president backed down and withdrew the army in an early morning speech.
Accusing Yoon of “serious violation of the Constitution and the law“, the opposition presented a impeachment motion that the National Assembly will vote this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT).
The opposition has a large majority in the chamber of 300 deputiesbut it needed the defection of some PPP parliamentarians to reach the two-thirds threshold to move the motion forward.
If you get it, Yoon will be suspended pending a verdict from the Constitutional Court. If the judges also approve it, the president will be dismissed and the elections will be held. new elections within 60 days.
Since the declaration of martial law, thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets in protests to demand Yoon’s resignation or arrest.
A survey published Thursday by the institute Realmeter indicates that 73.6% of those questioned supported the dismissal. And another poll released this Friday indicates that the president’s approval rating sank to 13%.
Yoon, several ministers and senior military and police officials are also the subject of a complaint for “insurrection”a crime not protected by presidential immunity and punishable up to death penalty in this country.
Police confirmed Thursday that an investigation was underway into the case.
It was the first declaration of martial law in South Korea in more than 40 years and brought back painful memories of the dictatorship that ruled the country until 1987.
The president justified the measure by “the threats posed by the communist forces of North Korea” and by “the anti-state elements that steal the freedom and happiness of the people.”
(With information from EFE and AFP)
