South Korean police investigate President Yoon for ‘insurrection’ after martial law reversal

Jo Seoung-iae, a spokesman for the Democratic Party, said a vote on Saturday would give enough time for conservative lawmakers to contemplate their decisions on what he described as an “illegal and unconstitutional rebellion or coup.”

The prospects for Yoon’s impeachment are unclear as his People Power Party (PPP) decided on Thursday to oppose the passage of the motion.

Choo Kyung-ho, parliamentary leader of the PPP, told reporters that his party would hold another meeting to determine how to oppose the passage of the motion.

Observers say PPP members could simply boycott a floor vote or vote against the motion. Removing him would require the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members.

The opposition parties together have 192 seats and need additional votes from the PPP.

Some experts earlier said that the motion will likely be passed by parliament as 18 PPP lawmakers, who belong to an anti-Yoon faction in the party, already voted against Yoon’s martial law decree along with lawmakers from the opposition.

But speaking to reporters on Thursday, PPP leader Han Dong-hun, leader of the anti-Yoon faction, said he would work to ensure the impeachment motion does not pass, although he remains critical of Yoon’s action. , which he described as “unconstitutional.” .

Han said it is necessary to “prevent harm to citizens and followers caused by unprepared chaos.”

If the motion is approved, Yoon will be suspended pending a verdict from the Constitutional Court. If the judges give the go-ahead, Yoon will be charged and elections must be held within 60 days.