Seoul, South Korea — In a significant political development, South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party on Wednesday proposed an impeachment motion against Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency.
The motion comes amid allegations that Minister Kim proposed a martial law declaration to President Yoon Suk-yeol. Sources suggest that the defense minister advised the president to consider imposing martial law in response to rising political tensions.
On Tuesday night, President Yoon declared an emergency martial law during a televised address, a move that stunned many across the nation. However, the declaration was short-lived; lawmakers swiftly moved to veto the martial law in the early hours of Wednesday, prompting the president to revoke the order.
The Democratic Party has criticized Defense Minister Kim’s actions, claiming that the proposal of martial law was an overreach of authority and a threat to democratic processes. Party representatives are calling for accountability, insisting that impeachment is necessary to uphold constitutional integrity.
This move adds to the growing challenges faced by President Yoon’s administration, which has been under scrutiny for its handling of domestic issues. The situation underscores the intensifying political debate in South Korea regarding the use of emergency powers and the balance between security and civil liberties.
As the impeachment process unfolds, observers are closely watching its potential impact on South Korea’s political landscape and the stability of the government. The outcome could have significant implications for the country’s democracy and its approach to governance during times of crisis.
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ROK's Democratic Party proposes impeachment against defense chief
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