Sat Dec 07 02:09:12 UTC 2024: ## South Korean President Faces Impeachment After Attempted Martial Law

**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized Saturday for his attempt to impose martial law earlier this week, a move that sparked widespread protests and a push for his impeachment. The apology came hours before a parliamentary vote on whether to remove him from office.

President Yoon, in a televised address, accepted responsibility for the declaration but said he would leave the handling of the political crisis to his party. The impeachment motion, brought by opposition lawmakers, requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. While opposition parties hold a significant number of seats, they need support from Yoon’s own party to reach the threshold.

The situation escalated after the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) called for suspending the president’s powers, citing concerns about his fitness for office and the possibility of further extreme actions. Eighteen members of the PPP previously voted to cancel the martial law declaration, highlighting divisions within the ruling party.

The attempted martial law, which involved heavily armed troops surrounding the National Assembly, has drawn international condemnation. Opposition lawmakers accuse Yoon of attempting a self-coup, and the incident has raised concerns among allies like the United States and Japan.

A key development is the revelation that President Yoon allegedly ordered the arrest of several key politicians, including opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and the National Assembly speaker. Several high-ranking military officials have been suspended pending investigations into their roles in the incident. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun is also under investigation.

The National Assembly is set to vote on both a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate allegations against President Yoon’s wife and the impeachment motion itself. The outcome of these votes will determine the future of South Korea’s political landscape.

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