UPDATE - South Korean parliament convenes to vote on 2nd impeachment motion against President Yoon

UPDATES WITH PARLIAMENT SESSION BEGINS, ADDS MORE DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Muhammed Enes Calli and Islamuddin Sajid

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea parliament session began on Saturday as lawmakers are set to vote on a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

The motion to impeach Yoon was submitted by opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party, according to the Yonhap news agency.

To pass, the impeachment motion needs the support of at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) to reach the minimum threshold of 200 in the 300-seat parliament.

The president narrowly avoided an initial impeachment attempt last week when members of his People Power Party boycotted the session, preventing the vote from reaching the necessary quorum.

Yoon declared martial law Dec. 3, but 190 lawmakers convened and passed a motion to lift it, forcing him to rescind the decision.

The move by the president has led to calls for his resignation, including from members of his party.

The 63-year-old leader is the first sitting president to face charges of treason and insurrection, alongside a ban on overseas travel.

A large group of people on Saturday gathered in front of the parliament ahead of the vote demanding Yoon’s removal from office.