South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party is vowing to oppose efforts to impeach him over his failed attempt to impose martial law. Yoon accepted the resignation of his defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who played a key role in the chaotic period of martial law. A retired army general, Choi Byung-hyuk, has been named as Kim’s successor. Yoon’s declaration of martial law, the first since 1980, was rescinded after lawmakers defied it and entered the National Assembly. Protesters gathered in Seoul, calling on Yoon to resign. A vote on the impeachment motion is scheduled for Saturday in the National Assembly, with opposition lawmakers submitting articles of impeachment against Yoon. The motion requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. If successful, the Constitutional Court would hold a trial to determine whether to confirm the impeachment. U.S. officials have criticized Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell calling it “deeply illegitimate.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged not being informed of the decision ahead of time but emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution according to the rule of law. The strength of South Korean democracy was highlighted by the unified opposition to the martial law declaration.
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South Korean president faces looming impeachment vote as party pledges opposition
