South Korea's political crisis escalates as ruling party leader alleges martial law risk

South Korea’s ruling party leader, Han Dong-hoon, has urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down immediately, citing growing concerns that Yoon might attempt to impose martial law again.

Han, a former ally of Yoon and head of the conservative People Power Party, made the comments on December 6, warning that Yoon’s actions could jeopardize the country’s stability, Caliber.Az reports citing FT.

He claimed to have received intelligence suggesting that Yoon had ordered troops to arrest key political figures during his failed attempt to declare martial law earlier this week.

“I am worried that Yoon could potentially put the Republic of Korea and its citizens in great danger if he is allowed to continue to serve as president, as he poses a significant risk of extreme actions, like reattempting to impose martial law,” Han said in a televised meeting with senior party officials. Han, who had previously supported Yoon in a potential impeachment scenario, reversed his position. "Given the new facts emerging, I think Yoon’s presidential duties need to be suspended as soon as possible to protect the nation and the public," he added.

His comments have intensified expectations that members of the People Power Party may back the opposition’s motion for impeachment when the National Assembly votes on Saturday. The constitution requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat assembly for the motion to pass, meaning that at least eight ruling party lawmakers would need to support the move alongside the opposition’s 192 members.

The political unrest surrounding Yoon intensified following his controversial martial law decree on Tuesday night, which he later rescinded, leading to widespread calls for his impeachment. A massive protest by labor unions and civic groups is expected in central Seoul on Saturday, aiming to increase pressure on lawmakers to vote for Yoon's removal.

The ruling party is set to hold an emergency meeting on December 6 to finalize its stance on the impeachment, with the Democratic Party considering adjusting the timing of the vote depending on the outcome.

Political analysts, like Myongji University professor Shin Yul, predict that Yoon's impeachment is now highly likely. "Yoon’s actions resemble a self-coup. With the growing evidence against him, it would be difficult for the Constitutional Court to reject his impeachment," Shin said.

Compounding the pressure on Yoon, Acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho addressed rumours of a second martial law attempt, stating that the Defence ministry and the military would not comply with any such order.

"Rumours that circulated this morning on signs of another martial law declaration are not true,” Kim said, reaffirming that the military would reject any further martial law directives.

By Tamilla Hasanova