On Friday, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea became increasingly isolated after the head of his own governing party reportedly expressed support for impeaching the president and the military declared that it would not comply with any orders to reinstate martial law.
The leader of the People Power Party, or P.P.P., who is currently in power, unexpectedly declared Mr. Yoon unsuitable to serve as the leader of South Korea following the chaos that ensued as a result of his brief martial law decree earlier this week.
The number of party members who subscribed to Mr. Han’s perspective was unclear. However, his remarks heightened the probability that the impeachment measure against Mr. Yoon would garner sufficient support to be approved by the National Assembly.
In an effort to maintain his position, Mr. Yoon may attempt to reinstate martial law, as Mr. Han and other opposition legislators have cautioned.
The defense ministry issued a forceful rebuttal to Mr. Yoon, asserting that the military would not comply with his actions, regardless of whether he did. The special forces command of the country, which participated in Mr. Yoon’s unsuccessful martial law, declared that it would not participate in another.
A more extensive closed-door meeting of the 108 legislators of the P.P.P. was conducted within the National Assembly; however, it was adjourned without a consensus being reached regarding Mr. Yoon’s fate.
Mr. Yoon failed to attend the meeting, despite his anticipated attendance. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik stated that he was unable to ensure the president’s safety as the furious opposition members gathered at the Assembly’s entrance, chanting “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!”
An impeachment decision is scheduled for Saturday evening. In order to impeach the president, a minimum of eight votes from Mr. Yoon’s governing faction are required.
Mr. Yoon would be suspended from office until the Constitutional Court determines whether to reinstate or remove him if he were impeached.
Mr. Yoon’s unexpected declaration of martial law was only in effect for six hours, until early Wednesday. After the Assembly voted to repeal the military rule, he was compelled to remove it.
The opposition compared the brief episode to a failed “palace coup” by an exceedingly unpopular leader, and it elicited outrage throughout South Korea.
[READ MORE: Jihadi Blitz Puts Assad Regime in Peril]
