South Korea withdraws martial law, moves to impeach president

SEOUL: Opposition parties have launched an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law in the country. Yoon announced martial law on national television on Tuesday night. With this, the army banned all political activities. However, as pressure mounted, Yoon withdrew the law within six hours.

Yoon imposed martial law accusing opposition parties of sympathising with North Korea and trying to undermine the regime. Subsequently, strong protests erupted in the country. Protesters, including students, took to the streets to demand Yoon's resignation. Police and protesters clashed. Within two hours, opposition MPs passed a resolution in Parliament banning the law. The Speaker declared the law invalid.

Yoon's announcement without informing angered the ruling party also. With this, Yoon was forced to repeal the law and withdraw the army that had surrounded the parliament. Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions launched a protest demanding Yoon's resignation. Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and other senior officials offered to resign, taking full responsibility for the promulgation of martial law.

Is Yoon going out?

In the 300-member Parliament (National Assembly), the main opposition Democratic Party has a majority (170). 108 for Yoon's People's Power Party. The opposition has a total of 192 MPs when the other five parties come together. The president can be impeached only if there is the support of more than two-thirds of MPs. A vote on the impeachment bill, which has been tabled in Parliament, can be expected within 72 hours.

Why martial law?

(Yoon's arguments)

1. The opposition is sympathetic to North Korea. The government is being pushed into crisis through anti-national moves. Parliament proceedings disrupted.
2. The country must be protected from the threat of North Korean communist forces. North Korean supporters must be eliminated
3. Constitutional law and order must be maintained