South Korea’s parliament has tabled a motion to impeach President Yoon.

Yun’s ruling People’s Power Party said it would oppose it, but the party is divided over the crisis. The opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, needs the support of at least eight ruling party lawmakers to pass the bill.

SEOUL: South Korea’s parliament formally introduced a motion to impeach Yoon Seok-yul on Thursday, setting the stage for a historic vote that could oust the president over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law, South Korea’s first in more than four decades, was swiftly reversed by lawmakers on a night of drama, but plunged the country into political turmoil and threatened its closest allies.

Yun, a conservative politician and former star public prosecutor who is running for president in 2022, now looks extremely uncertain.

After jumping fences and clashing with security forces overnight to enter parliament and end martial law, opposition lawmakers filed a motion to impeach Yoon.

The motion said Yoon had “grossly and grossly violated the Constitution and the law” and accused him of imposing martial law “with the unconstitutional and illegal intent to avoid an impending investigation.” […] allegedly involving himself and his family in illegal activities”.

Lawmakers tabled the impeachment motion in Parliament during Thursday morning’s session.

“This is an unforgivable crime – one that cannot, must not, and will not be forgiven,” said MP Kim Seung-won.

According to South Korean law, the motion must be voted on within 24 to 72 hours of being tabled in a parliamentary session. Yonhap news agency

The main opposition Democratic Party has also filed a “rebellion” complaint against the president, some of his ministers and top military and police officials – which could carry a life sentence or the death penalty.

In a show of public anger with Yoon, thousands of protesters rallied around his office in central Seoul late Wednesday in Gwanghwamun Square, calling for his resignation.

Seoul’s stock exchange closed down more than 1 percent on Wednesday as markets rallied.

Even the leader of Yun’s own ruling party called the martial law effort “deplorable” and called for those involved to be held accountable.

But party lawmakers then decided to oppose Yun’s impeachment motion. Yonhap It was reported early Thursday.

Opposition to legislators

In his televised announcement of martial law late on Tuesday, Yun cited the threat of North Korea and “anti-state forces”.

More than 280 soldiers, some of whom arrived by helicopter, rushed to parliament to seal off the site.

But 190 lawmakers forced rifle-toting soldiers into the building to vote against the measure.

The constitution says martial law must be lifted when a parliamentary majority demands it, leaving Yun with no choice but to withdraw his decision and withdraw the army six hours later in another televised address.

Senior aides to Yun offered to resign en masse on Wednesday, as did the defense minister, who took “full responsibility for the confusion and anxiety” surrounding the declaration of martial law.

By evening, Yoon had yet to make another public appearance.

The lifting of martial law drew cheers from flag-waving protesters outside parliament who braved freezing temperatures to hold an overnight vigil in defiance of Yun’s order.