South Korea’s ruling party demands suspension of Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers

The head of South Korea’s ruling party has called for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers to be suspended, citing “credible evidence” that he/she called for the arrest of political leaders after imposing martial law, Al Jazeera reports. Was done.

People’s Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, who previously expressed his/her opposition to efforts to impeach Yoon, said “newly emerging facts” have tipped the scale against Yoon Suk Yeol.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, Han said, “I learned last night that the President ordered the Defense Counter-Intelligence Commander to arrest prominent political leaders, labeling them as anti-state forces and destroying intelligence in the process. Mobilized the institutions.”

he/she added, “I have said that I will try to prevent the impeachment bill from being passed this time to prevent this country from slipping further into chaos.”

The PPP leader called it necessary to stop Yoon Suk Yeol from exercising his/her powers as President of South Korea. he/she added, “But based on what has been revealed, to protect South Korea and our people, I believe it is necessary to immediately prevent President Yoon from exercising his/her powers as president.”

Han said that the President of South Korea did not accept that imposing martial law was illegal and wrong and that there was a “significant risk” that he/she could take a similar step again if he/she remained in office.

Martial law was declared in South Korea for about six hours on Tuesday after Yoon made the announcement in a televised address to the nation, in which he/she cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korean supporters. Was.

National Assembly members rallied to overturn Yun’s order in a 190-0 vote. The President of South Korea lifted the order at around 4 am local time. However, he/she announced the decision after troops descended on the National Assembly and scuffles broke out with legislators and protesters.

Yoon, who is facing impeachment, is currently being tried along with South Korea’s resigned Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, army chief General Park En-su and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, Al Jazeera reported, citing local media. Treason investigation is underway. Report.

The statement by Han, who is South Korea’s justice minister and one of Yoon’s top rivals in the PPP, marks a shift in the ruling party’s response to the crisis.

The opposition Democratic Party has called for a vote on Saturday night to impeach Yun. However, at least eight votes from the ruling party are needed to reach a two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly. If the motion is successful, South Korea’s Constitutional Court will decide whether to confirm Yoon’s removal from office, Al Jazeera reports.

Until now, the ruling party had indicated it would oppose Yun’s impeachment, with some analysts saying lawmakers fear a backlash if they go against their own party, similar to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016. It happened after. Park was sentenced to 20 years in prison on corruption charges before being granted amnesty.