South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol must be removed following his brief declaration of martial rule, the president of the country's ruling party stated on Dec. 6, alleging "credible evidence" that Yoon attempted to arrest and jail political figures following his announcement.
Han Dong-hoon, the head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), made the statements one day after the party stated its opposition to impeaching Yoon for declaring martial law, the first such proclamation since 1980.
The major opposition Democratic Party has set an impeachment vote for Saturday.
Speaking after a PPP meeting in parliament, Han claimed proof had emerged that Yoon ordered the arrest and imprisonment of important politicians in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on the grounds that they were "anti-state forces."
“I said yesterday that I would try not to pass this impeachment in order to prevent damage to the people and supporters caused by the unprepared chaos,” Han said. “But I believe that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s immediate suspension of office is necessary to protect the Republic of Korea and its people in light of the newly revealed facts.”
Han did not expressly call for impeachment and did not answer to reporters' requests for explanation.
Yoon proclaimed martial law on Tuesday, citing attempts to battle undefined threats from "anti-state forces" inside the opposition.
In a statement, Yoon said that the opposition was "paralyzing" judicial operations and the executive branch, accusing members of the opposing parties of sympathizing with North Korea.
He changed his decision barely six hours later, as 190 of the National Assembly's 300 members voted unanimously against the order.
Along with facing impeachment, South Korean prosecutors have launched a treason probe into Yoon, his interior minister, and the defense minister (who has since been removed) for their suspected participation in the effort to establish martial law, according to local media sources.
Yoon's approval rating has dropped to a new low of 13 percent, according to the most recent Gallup Korea survey issued on Friday.
Despite strong criticism for his sudden declaration, not all South Korean politicians support impeaching Yoon.
Yoon Sang-hyun, a five-time ruling party lawmaker, told reporters on Friday that he opposes impeaching the president while accusing Han of failing to consult enough with senior party members.
“We cannot impeach the president tomorrow and hand over the regime to Lee Jae-Myung’s Democratic Party,” he said. “It is not for the sake of protecting President Yoon Suk Yeol, but for the sake of the Republic of Korea’s system and our children’s future.”
The lawmaker said he cannot participate in the impeachment vote on Saturday.
Opposition parties need a two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly to pass the impeachment bill against Yoon. Opposition parties hold 192 seats. Yoon’s party has 108 legislators, so eight would have to side with the opposition for the bill to pass.
If the measure passes, Yoon will be suspended from his role immediately and the country’s prime minister, currently Han Duck-soo, will serve as interim president. South Korea’s Constitutional Court will then decide whether or not to uphold the impeachment.
If the court rules in favor of impeaching Yoon, a new election will be held in the country within 60 days.
