South Korean Opposition Calls for President Yoon's Resignation After Martial Law Declaration
In a dramatic political development, South Korea's opposition party has demanded the immediate resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial declaration of martial law. The Democratic Party announced on Wednesday that if Yoon does not step down voluntarily, they will initiate an impeachment process against him. This urgent session took place in the National Assembly amidst rising tensions regarding Yoon's actions, which were characterized as a clear violation of the constitution.
President Yoon had lifted the martial law later that night, after a unanimous call from the National Assembly members urged him to end the state of emergency. The President justified his declaration by accusing the opposition of showing sympathy towards North Korea, a claim that has sparked backlash among lawmakers.
The declaration of martial law marks an unprecedented moment in South Korea’s democratic history. Since transitioning to democracy in the late 1980s, this is the first time that a sitting president has resorted to such extreme measures, raising alarms about the state of civil liberties and governance in the country.
The ongoing tensions between South Korea and North Korea have remained a key issue since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, leaving the two nations in a technical state of war. Yoon's administration has frequently alluded to North Korean provocations as justification for strict measures, but the recent martial law declaration has ignited a fierce debate about political freedom and the boundaries of executive power in South Korea.
As the situation develops, the Democratic Party is rallying support not only for Yoon's resignation but also to safeguard democratic norms that have been hard-won over the past few decades.
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