South Korean President Lifts Martial Law Amid Opposition's Calls For His Resignation

South Korea's main opposition party called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the martial law on Tuesday after about six hours, after he suddenly declared martial law in the country for the first time in nearly 50 years, it sparked a fierce backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum. 

Following this, South Korea's main opposition party called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment.

"It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down," Park Chan-dae, a senior member of the Democratic Party, said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Opposition parties submitted the impeachment motion just hours after parliament unanimously voted to cancel Yoon’s declaration, forcing him to lift martial law. To impeach Yoon the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly and at least six of the nine Constitutional Court justices is required. The liberal opposition Democratic Party holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament and has called for Yoon’s resignation, according to the Associated Press.

If the motion does pass the parliament, Yoon's powers and duties would be immediately suspended, and the prime minister would become acting president.

Earlier, Yoon made a live televised address, in which, he said that it was to “safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces”. He said it was also to eradicate anti-state elements undermining the people’s freedom and happiness.

I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said. He sent heavily armed troops into Seoul’s streets with his baffling and sudden declaration of martial law that harkened to the country’s past dictatorships.

Large demonstrations took place overnight outside the parliament, with many South Koreans expressing relief that the martial law announcement was taken back.

The opposition lambasted Yoon’s actions as undemocratic. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”

Yoon Suk Yeol has been the president of South Korea since 2022. In the recent months, his approval rating has been dipping and he has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since coming to power. Yoon also mired in several scandals, with his wife being accused of corruption. The opposition has been trying to launch an investigation against her.