South Korea Calls For Yoon Suk Yeol's Impeachment After Sudden Martial Law | Details

The six-hour-long martial law has triggered opposition leaders and residents to demand Yoon's resignation or impeachment, whichever comes first.

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On Tuesday, Yoon Suk Yeol addressed South Koreans and imposed emergency martial law to fight against "anti-state, communist" factors. The decision, which left Seoul and the world shocked, was highly criticised by National Assembly lawmakers, who defied all odds to vote against the imposition.

In a historic 190-0 vote, members of the National Assembly climbed over fences and fought the military to call on Yoon to lift martial law. By dawn, the president caved and paved the way for a motion calling for his impeachment.

Seoul Calls For Impeachment

As Yoon continues to face backlash for his sudden decision, "anti-president" protests have taken over the streets of the capital as opposition and citizens call on President Yoon to step down from his post.

Along with this, South Korea's Democratic Party and others have passed a motion for impeachment. The vote is expected to take place as early as Friday.

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A total of six opposition parties have filed a motion to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol. As per Yonhap news agency, the motion will be presented on Thursday and the vote is set to take place on Friday or Saturday.

Ahead of the impeachment vote, several top officials from the presidential cabinet have submitted their resignation - the latest addition being Defence Minister Kim-Yong-hyun, who was also facing impeachment.

Shortly after martial law was imposed, Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok and all other senior presidential secretaries submitted their resignations. The top officials collectively decided to resign in the wake of the president's unilateral decision.

Yoon's Approval Rating Continues To Drop

President Yoon Suk Yeol had already been battling low approval ratings, especially after the scandals against him and first lady Kim Keon-hee.

Since taking office in May 2022, Yoon's approval rating has hit an all-time low. As per Gallup Korea, the president's approval rating stands at 17 percent as of November 8.

Since then, the president's approval rating has stayed between to 10 to 20 percent range. On November 28, the president stood at a 19 percent approval rating.

After the sudden declaration of martial law, Yoon's approval rating is expected to drop drastically.