South Koreans hold candle vigil, seek President Yoon's ouster after failed attempt to impose martial law

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Thousands of protesters took to the streets across South Korea on Wednesday, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation over his controversial martial law declaration, local media reported.

Protesters, including civic and labor groups, also held candlelight rallies in several parts of the country, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The Korean Federation of Trade Unions, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and other civic groups organized a large candlelight rally in downtown Seoul, which drew approximately 2,000 people.

In the southwestern city of Gwangju, about 1,000 people attended an anti-Yoon candlelight rally.

Similar gatherings were held in Suncheon, Yeosu, and other South Jeolla province cities.

In a late-night live televised address on Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law but was forced to lift it just hours later after lawmakers unanimously voted to block the order amid nationwide protests.

Meanwhile, Yoon met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to discuss future strategy following opposition parties' submission of an impeachment motion in response to the short-lived declaration of martial law.

The motion must receive a two-thirds majority in parliament to be approved. The opposition will need eight votes from ruling party lawmakers out of 300 in the National Assembly to pass the bill.

Yonhap cited an unnamed senior presidential official, who claimed that Yoon's actions were taken to "protect the constitutional order against groups determined to destroy" the government.

Yoon has not yet responded to the opposition-led impeachment efforts.

"All those actions were taken in accordance with the Constitution," the official was quoted as saying.