UPDATE - South Korean opposition plans to vote on impeachment motion against president on Saturday

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM OPPOSITION; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Anadolu staff

Opposition parties in South Korea on Thursday said that they would vote on a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, following his failed attempt to impose martial law, local media reported.

The main opposition Democratic Party along with other five minor opposition parties submitted the motion on Wednesday which was introduced in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Cho Seung-rae, the DP's deputy spokesperson, said it plans to hold a vote on the motion on Saturday evening to allow ruling party lawmakers enough time to deliberate over their decision on Yoon's actions, according to the Yonhap news agency.

A two-thirds majority is required to pass the motion, which would need support from at least eight lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party.

However, the ruling party on Wednesday said that it will oppose the opposition's move to impeach Yoon.

The crucial decision was made at a meeting of the ruling People Power Party lawmakers, who endorsed the party's position of opposing President Yoon's impeachment.

The National Assembly on Thursday also passed impeachment motions against the chief state auditor and three top prosecutors over their roles in investigations related to the relocation of the presidential office and first lady Kim Keon Hee.

In a late-night live televised address 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.

- Railway workers launch general strike

Unionized workers of the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) have launched an indefinite general strike on Thursday, disrupting train service in Seoul and other parts of the country.

Some train and subway lines experienced delays and cancellations due to the strike, according to Yonhap.

On Wednesday, KORAIL and the union failed to find a breakthrough during talks.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid