2024-12-05 08:45:07 :
(Bloomberg) — South Korea’s President Yun Seok-yeol named a new defense minister on Thursday ahead of a vote on whether to launch impeachment proceedings, which could take place on Saturday.
The Blue House said in a statement that Yoon Eun-hye appointed Choe Byung-hyuk as ambassador to Saudi Arabia to succeed Kim Jong-un. Meanwhile, the ruling party said it would try to block moves to impeach the president.
The main opposition party said on Wednesday it would bring treason charges against Yoon and Kim, claiming Tuesday’s brief martial law order was illegal. Kim earlier tendered his resignation on Wednesday.
A Democratic official said the opposition is now targeting a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion on Saturday. Some local media reported that Yoon Eun-hye might address the nation again within hours, but broadcaster YTN said the president would not speak on Thursday.
The replacement of the defense minister and the impeachment motion followed Yoon’s unexpected gamble late Tuesday to assert his authority by imposing martial law in the face of ongoing parliamentary deadlock. His move caught the country, his own People’s Power party and global allies, including the United States, off guard.
Although lawmakers from the ruling People’s Power Party quickly joined opposition parties in voting to reject Yoon Eun-hye’s martial law order in the National Assembly, which was surrounded by troops and protesters, it may be harder to win their support in a vote on whether to launch impeachment proceedings.
Kim Jong-un is responsible for ordering the deployment of troops to parliament, Yonhap news agency quoted the deputy defense minister as saying.
People’s Party leader Han Dong-hoon said on Thursday he would prevent parliament from passing an impeachment motion because he had asked Yoon Eun-hye to quit the People’s Party. The moves could help Han show that the People’s Party remains loyal to conservative support while distancing itself from the president.
Lawmakers need to wait at least 24 hours before voting on the impeachment motion, with a time limit of 72 hours.
Impeachment proceedings require a two-thirds majority to approve. Therefore, the opposition party needs 200 votes and several members of the ruling party to defy Han Kuo-yu and vote for him.
—With help from Seyoon Kim.
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