Seoul, December 7 (IANS). The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Saturday described South Korean President Yun Suk Yeol’s apology over his emergency martial law declaration this week as disappointing. The party said there is no option left except his immediate resignation or impeachment.
“There is no option left except for the president to immediately step down from office through his immediate resignation or impeachment,” Representative Lee Jae-myung said at a press conference in the National Assembly, according to Yonhap news agency.
Lee’s comments came after Yoon issued a public apology.
Yun said he expressed “sincere regret” for imposing martial law and assured that no such attempts would be made in the future.
The DP chief said Yoon’s remarks were “completely contrary to people’s expectations” and had “further increased people’s sense of betrayal and anger”.
The National Assembly will vote on an impeachment motion against Yoon. After imposing martial law on December 3, the President lifted it within six hours. This state of emergency created political instability in South Korea.
On Saturday, Lee urged National Assembly members to pass an impeachment motion. Also appealed to the members of the ruling party to show courage by supporting it.
“Rather than predicting the outcome, it is important that the proposal be approved,” Li told reporters.
He said the decision depends on the stance of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) MPs.
The motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, which would require the support of at least eight PPP MPs.
Lee appealed to MPs to show courage, saying, “As individual constitutional institutions, MPs should consider why they exist and what are their duties?”
“People know the need for impeachment and are demanding it. PPP MPs understand what justice means, but they are pressured to act against justice and the will of the people.”
–IANS
SCH/KR
