Deputies in the South Korean parliament are preparing a bill to remove the president Yoon Suk-yeol after the lifting of the state of emergency in the country, BNR reported.
The measure, which has not been implemented for many years, was announced earlier by the head of state. He motivated it with his desire to protect the country from North Korean elements and anti-state forces. However, about 190 lawmakers voted to lift the restrictions, forcing Yun himself to announce that he would comply with their decision:
"After the National Assembly demanded the lifting of the state of emergency, the military involved in it withdrew. I will accept the MPs' insistence and lift the state of emergency at a cabinet meeting."
Now about 40 people's representatives are planning to submit the bill for the removal of the president as early as today, the "Yonhap" agency reported. The leader of the ruling party in South Korea, Han Dong-hun, also demanded the resignation of the defense minister:
"The President must personally and in detail explain this tragic situation. The Minister of Defense who proposed the imposition of a state of emergency must be immediately removed from office and all those responsible must be strictly held to account."
The chairman of the parliamentary group of the opposition Democratic Party said that the head of state cannot escape the charges of treason and must resign immediately. One of the largest unions has called on its members to strike until Yoon Suk-yeol steps down. Citizens gathered for demonstrations in downtown Seoul, which continue, and according to an official from the president's office, he has canceled his schedule for the morning.
The White House expressed satisfaction with the lifting of the state of emergency. The Pentagon said that there is no change in the level of readiness of the US military in the country, which is about 27 thousand. At the same time, the United States Embassy in Seoul issued a statement advising American citizens to avoid the rally sites.