South Korea’s opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, has urged lawmakers to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law declaration. The National Assembly will hold its second vote on impeachment Saturday, requiring 200 votes to pass. Opposition members need support from eight ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers, with seven already pledging their votes.
Lee called on lawmakers to prioritize the people's welfare, saying, “What the lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the ruling People Power Party but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets.”
If the impeachment is approved, Yoon will be suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will act as interim president while the Constitutional Court reviews the case. The court has 180 days to decide and would need unanimous agreement from its six judges to uphold the motion.
Yoon has vowed to fight the charges, claiming the opposition is aligned with communist forces. Protests have erupted across Seoul demanding his resignation, with public approval for impeachment reaching 75%, according to a Gallup Korea poll.
Protesters from various backgrounds expressed their anger. Kim Sung-tae, a factory worker, said, “Impeachment is a must, and we must fight relentlessly,” while teacher Kim Hwan-ii called for democracy's restoration. Yoon's approval rating has dropped to a record low of 11%.
(Source: DAWN)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
