South Korean opposition party alarmed by news of additional martial law

South Korea's opposition Democratic Party lawmakers are on high alert amid reports of martial law being imposed again, according to Yonhap.

South Korean news agency reported on December 6 that opposition Democratic Party lawmakers will hold an emergency meeting this morning and are on standby after receiving many reports of a second declaration of martial law.

Protesters demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation in Seoul on the evening of December 5

President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the country when he suddenly declared martial law late on December 3, but was quickly lifted after the National Assembly voted it to be invalid.

Speaking at a party meeting in the National Assembly on December 6, ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said President Yoon had ordered the arrest of several prominent politicians during the martial law period on the grounds that they belonged to anti-state forces, according to AFP.

The opposition Democratic Party proposed a vote to impeach Mr. Yoon on the evening of December 7 while police opened an investigation into the president on charges of insurrection.

Leader of the ruling PPP Han Dong-hoon answers the press on his way to the National Assembly on the evening of December 3.

On December 5, the PPP announced its opposition to impeachment, but Mr. Han said this opinion could change in the face of "clear evidence" that President Yoon intended to arrest political leaders.

"Yesterday I said that I would try not to pass this impeachment to prevent damage to the people and supporters from sudden chaos, but I believe that President Yoon Suk Yeol should be suspended from office immediately to protect South Korea and the people from these newly exposed truths," Mr. Han said.

The politician did not call for impeachment and did not elaborate when asked by reporters. "If President Yoon continues to serve as president, there is a great risk that extreme actions similar to the declaration of martial law could be repeated, putting South Korea and its people in great danger," the PPP leader said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said the declaration of martial law was an act of rebellion by the president to maintain or increase his power. "It is an act of rebellion. It is a military-backed coup," Mr. Lee said, calling for the president's authority to be removed immediately. Mr. Yoon defeated Mr. Lee in the presidential election in May 2022.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dang-doi-lap-han-quoc-bao-dong-truoc-tin-co-them-thiet-quan-luat-185241206090252363.htm