By SEOUL, South Korea — Opposition lawmakers in South Korea moved to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday after he shocked the country by declaring martial law, only to lift the order six hours later under intense pressure.
The Democratic Party, which controls parliament, called Yoon’s surprise power grab an “unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law” as it formally submitted the articles of impeachment with the backing of five smaller opposition parties.
The vote on the impeachment motion, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass, could occur as early as Friday. The Constitutional Court would then decide whether to confirm the impeachment.
Lawmakers are also seeking to impeach Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a Yoon ally who has already tendered his resignation and insisted that all responsibility for the martial law declaration “lies with me alone.”
