South Korea's ruling party has hinted at impeachment of President Eun Suk-yeol. According to news agency AP, People's Power Party General Secretary Han Dong-hun said he agreed to reduce the constitutional power of the president.
Dong-hun, the leader of the ruling People's Power Party, said on Thursday – I have received information that the president tried to use the army to arrest several leaders during the implementation of martial law.
Dong-hoon said that it is imperative to reduce the power of the president otherwise he may take dangerous measures like imposing martial law again. It can pose a threat to the country and its citizens.
People's Power Party Secretary-General Han Dong-hoon (far right) during a meeting with his party members at the National Assembly in Seoul on December 6.
President imposed martial law, lifted within 6 hours
President Yoon imposed martial law in South Korea on December 3. He accused the opposition party of colluding with North Korea and indulging in anti-national activities. However, it lasted only 6 hours as opposition forces overthrew it by voting in parliament.
Since then, opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of President Yun. 6 parties have jointly started the impeachment process to remove the President. Voting in this regard can be held on Saturday.
Earlier, the ruling party refused to impeach the President. Dong-hun said on Thursday that he would try to reject the impeachment motion. However, even then he termed the President's decision to impose martial law as unconstitutional.
Will impeachment against the President succeed?
The day after martial law was imposed in South Korea, opposition forces joined together to begin impeachment proceedings against the president. Opposition parties have a total of 192 MPs. In the 300-seat Korean parliament, impeachment requires a two-thirds majority, or 200 MPs.
People's Party has 108 seats. Opposition parties need only 8 votes for impeachment to proceed. Following statements by ruling People's Party General Secretary Dong-hun that some opposition leaders in the party may support impeachment to remove the president.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
