South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party opposes efforts to impeach him over failed martial law attempt. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned after taking responsibility for the chaotic period of martial law. He was replaced by Choi Byung-hyuk, a trusted four-star army general. Yoon defended the martial law declaration as necessary due to an impasse with opposition lawmakers despite backlash and public anger. Protesters gathered in Seoul against Yoon. The main opposition Democratic Party plans to vote on the impeachment motion on Saturday. If the motion fails, they will keep trying until Yoon is impeached. If impeached, powers will temporarily go to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State stated that the Biden administration did not know about Yoon’s announcement in advance, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the important thing now is for the process to play out peacefully and according to the constitution and rule of law. Opposition from both progressives and conservatives has shown the strength of South Korean democracy.
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South Korean president faces looming impeachment vote as his party vows to oppose
