UPDATES WITH RULING PARTY LEADER’S REMARKS, BACKGROUND, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE, EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Muhammed Enes Calli and Islamuddin Sajid
ISTANBUL (AA) – The leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday voiced support for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after Yoon publicly defended his attempt to impose martial law.
Han Dong-hoon said it has become "clearer" that Yoon is "unable to carry out" his duties, adding that this situation "must be swiftly straightened out ... through the impeachment process."
"Our party must support impeachment as the party line," he said, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.
Han, who is not a lawmaker and holds no government post, also called for convening an ethics committee to discuss whether to demand that Yoon leave the party.
His statement comes as the opposition is expected to file an impeachment motion for Yoon after its first attempt last weekend failed.
The opposition bloc needs the support of at least eight ruling lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament to reach the 200 votes needed to oust the president.
- 'Will stand firm,' says Yoon, denies insurrection charges
In his second public remarks since lifting martial law on Dec. 4, Yoon Wednesday defended his decision and vowed to "fight to the end."
The 63-year-old embattled leader claimed he had "no intention of upsetting the constitutional order" by sending hundreds of troops to parliament on Dec. 3 when he announced his martial law declaration.
He said he took the action to "save the country" from what he called “anti-state” opposition parties.
According to Yoon, the opposition parties have "paralyzed" the nation by "abusing" their majority in parliament.
The ruling PPP lost its majority in the parliament in general elections this April, leaving the Yoon-led administration toothless.
Since his failed move to impose martial law, Yoon is South Korea’s first sitting president to face charges of treason and insurrection as well as a travel ban.
A sitting president in South Korea is immune from arrest except for insurrection charges.
A special investigation team tried to raid Yoon's office on Tuesday but his security team blocked their entry.
Yoon said his conduct did not amount to "insurrection."
"I will stand firm, whether I'm impeached or investigated," he said.
Yoon imposed martial law on the night of Dec. 3, but 190 lawmakers rushed to parliament and passed a motion to lift it.
It triggered a political crisis including growing calls on Yoon to resign, including from his own party.
*Islamuddin Sajid contributed to the story from Pakistan