South Korea’s Yoon must be suspended

South Korea's ruling party leader said President Yoon Suk Yeol needs to be removed from power for trying to impose martial law, as the government denied reports yesterday it was preparing to issue another martial law declaration.

Yoon shocked the nation - and his own ruling People Power Party - on Tuesday, when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and overcome obstructionist political opponents.

He rescinded the declaration about six hours later after parliament, including some members of his party, voted to oppose the decree.

The main opposition Democratic Party has submitted a motion to impeach Yoon and scheduled a vote in parliament for this evening.

Fearing another attempt to declare martial law, opposition lawmakers rotated through parliament's plenary session hall yesterday to block any such attempt, a Democratic Party official said.