For the impeachment motion to be successful, the opposition parties need to secure the votes of two-thirds of the National Assembly, meaning they will need at least eight votes from the 108 ruling party members. If successful, the motion will need the approval of a constitutional court to strip the president of power. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential responsibilities in the interim.

Professor Wongi Choe from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul said the president was increasingly isolated, and regardless of whether the impeachment was successful, the prospect of an early election next year appeared likely.

“He committed political suicide. He has lost all of his authority. The best scenario the ruling party is envisioning is that the president should resign on his own,” Choe said. “We are entering a period of political turmoil with major disruptions. It is a really critical time.”

A number of labour unions have gone on strike and are now calling for Yoon’s resignation as part of their demands, and social interest groups are mobilising their campaigns against the president.

Yoon has remained silent since his decision to rescind the martial law declaration. His presidential office confirmed on Thursday that South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, would be nominated as the new defence minister.

US officials said they were caught completely off guard by Yoon’s martial law declaration, which Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said was “badly misjudged”.

With Reuters

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