Democratic Party Holds Party Meeting Demanding President Yoon's Voluntary Resignation
People Power Party Discusses President Yoon's Withdrawal, Cabinet's Total Resignation, and More
President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'martial law' in the middle of the night ended after 6 hours. The opposition parties decided to push for President Yoon's resignation. The ruling party, the People Power Party, is considering measures such as demanding President Yoon's withdrawal from the party.
On the 4th, the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, activated a 'timer' related to President Yoon's resignation. The Democratic Party held an emergency party meeting at 6 a.m. and stated regarding the martial law, "It is null and void from the outset, a serious constitutional violation, and a legal violation," adding, "It is a grave act of rebellion and a perfect reason for impeachment."
The Democratic Party demanded President Yoon's voluntary resignation and declared that if refused, they would initiate impeachment proceedings. A Democratic Party official explained that mentioning voluntary resignation first did not mean they would wait, but that voluntary resignation was preferable. The opposition believes that if they proceed with impeachment, it will be handled swiftly, so it is not expected to take long.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, responded to reporters' questions about the possibility of an early presidential election by saying, "For now, it is important to overcome this situation well."
The Democratic Party plans to intensify its offensive by holding emergency national assemblies in the National Assembly. The Innovation Party publicly released an impeachment proposal that defines President Yoon's declaration of martial law as an act of rebellion and treason.
The ruling People Power Party is discussing countermeasures in a closed supreme council meeting followed by a party members' meeting. Opinions discussed at the supreme council and party meeting include demands to convey to the president the need for his withdrawal from the party, punishment of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and the total resignation of the cabinet. Given the serious situation, the ruling party plans to reach a final conclusion through the party members' meeting. In this regard, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, reportedly told those around him that it would be difficult to overcome the current crisis without at least minimal measures.
Senior aides at the presidential office, including chiefs and senior secretaries, also collectively submitted their resignations on the morning of the same day to respond to the aftermath of the martial law. If the resignations are accepted, it is expected that Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, National Security Office Chief Shin Won-sik, and all senior secretaries will be replaced.
Meanwhile, President Yoon issued an emergency statement at 10:30 p.m. the previous night, declaring, "I hereby proclaim martial law to eradicate pro-North Korean anti-state forces at once and to protect the free constitutional order." However, with martial law troops entering the main building of the National Assembly, 190 lawmakers, including 18 from the ruling party, unanimously passed a resolution to lift martial law. Following this, President Yoon declared the lifting of martial law, ending it after 6 hours.
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