UPDATE - South Korea’s ruling party calls for suspension of president’s powers
Acting defense chief Kim Seon-ho refutes any possibility of imposing martial law for second time this week
UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY ACTING DEFENSE MINISTER, CHANGES DECK
By Esra Tekin and Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea’s ruling party leader said Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol needs to be quickly suspended from exercising his authority, disclosing that Yoon ordered the arrests of key politicians during his failed declaration of martial law, Yonhap news reported.
People Power Party (PPP) chair Han Dong-hoon warned there is a possibility that Yoon may take another "radical" action similar to his failed martial law declaration if he continues to hold onto presidential power.
“Given the newly revealed facts, I believe it is necessary to promptly suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol from his duties to protect the Republic of Korea and its people,” Han said.
He pointed out that it was confirmed on Thursday that President Yoon had directed Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung to arrest key political figures, labeling them as "anti-state" forces, and had even used intelligence resources to carry out the detentions.
He expressed serious concern that such "radical actions" could be repeated if Yoon remains in office, warning that it would place the country at "great risk."
Observers suggest that Han may be signaling his support for an opposition-led impeachment motion against President Yoon, which is set to be voted on during a plenary session on Saturday.
Earlier, Han pledged to mobilize efforts to block the motion’s passage, and the PPP had officially decided to oppose it.
The PPP is scheduled to hold an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers later Friday, which is likely to discuss the impeachment motion.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae, a six-term PPP lawmaker, became the first member of the ruling party to publicly support Yoon's impeachment.
To pass the motion, a two-thirds majority is required, meaning it would need the backing of at least eight PPP lawmakers to pass the threshold of 200 lawmakers in the 300-seat National Assembly.
Amid the ongoing political bickering, Yoon and PPP leader Han have met.
- 'Fears of 2nd martial law won't come true'
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung warned that Friday night was "very dangerous."
"I am worried that (Yoon) might do something again tonight or in the early morning," he told reporters at the parliament.
Yoon should be "suspended from his duties as soon as possible," he said, noting his “illegal action constituted treason and a self-coup.”
However, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho refuted any possibility of imposing martial law for second time this week.
"Even if there is a request for (second) martial law declaration, the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff will absolutely not accept it," he said.
Yoon, the president, imposed an martial law on Tuesday night, only to be withdrawn within six hours after most of the lawmakers rejected it in an overnight parliamentary session.
His decision to impose army rule triggered political crisis in the far eastern nation as many of his aides including Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has resigned.
Kaynak:
This news has been read 35 times in total
Türkçe karakter kullanılmayan ve büyük harflerle yazılmış yorumlar onaylanmamaktadır.