South Korean president faces impeachment for declaring martial law
South Korean lawmakers have decided to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his botched attempt to enforce emergency martial law.
Opposition politicians began impeachment proceedings for Yoon after his botched attempt to impose martial law on Tuesday night lasted only a few hours.
Yoon's imposed martial law was lifted on Wednesday after facing an immediate backlash and calls for its reversal.
Yoon had declared martial law to clamp down on what he described as "despicable pro-North Korean" political opponents.
In response to Yoon's move, the main opposition Democratic Party said it would vote to impeach the president this weekend.
A motion, signed by 191 opposition parliamentarians, was presented to parliament shortly after midnight (15:00 GMT on Wednesday). The impeachment vote is scheduled for Saturday.
Under South Korean law, to impeach the president two-thirds of the 300 lawmakers need to vote in favor of the move.
The opposition parties have a total of 192, which means they need only eight more votes from the ruling party to impeach Yoon.
The rare and short-lived imposition of martial law has brought thousands of protesters to the streets in South Korea.
South Korean police said on Thursday that it had opened an investigation into Yoon following complaints filed against him.
One police officer familiar with the matter told local news agency Yonhap that two complaints had been filed against Yoon. He has been accused of committing treason by declaring martial law, which was later revoked.
The two complaints had been filed by the minority opposition party Rebuilding Korea Party, and a group made up of 59 activists.
The two groups claim Yoon -- alongside his former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min -- committed acts of treason and other charges by declaring martial law.
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