South Korea opposition accuses ruling party of ‘second coup’ by refusing to impeach Yoon

By AFP 9 December 2024, 6:26 am

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A protester holding a cardboard reading "Leader of insurgents" on an image depicting the face of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol takes part in a protest calling for his ouster outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 8, 2024. (Philip Fong/AFP)

SEOUL – South Korea’s opposition accuses the ruling party of staging a “second coup” by clinging to power and refusing to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law.

Yoon plunged the country into political chaos with his attempt to scrap civilian rule, which lasted just six hours after lawmakers scuffled with soldiers in the parliament building and managed to vote the measure down, forcing Yoon into an embarrassing U-turn.

The president and a slew of top officials are now being investigated for insurrection, but a bid to impeach Yoon failed Saturday after a boycott by the ruling party, who claim the wildly unpopular leader has agreed to hand power to the prime minister and party chief.

“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae says, urging the ruling party to “stop it immediately.”

Under South Korea’s constitution, the president remains head of government and commander in chief of the army unless he or she is incapacitated, resigns or steps down.

Huge crowds are expected to gather again outside the National Assembly building today.