South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will resign from office, despite the failure to impeach him on Saturday for inappropriately declaring martial law the previous week, according to the leader of his political party.
The head of the People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, explained to reporters after most of his colleagues boycotted the removal proceedings in Parliament that Yoon would step down because his "declaration of martial law was a clear and serious violation of the law."
"The People Power Party will pursue an orderly departure of the president in order to minimize confusion for the people," Han added, confirming the 63-year-old conservative would be "effectively excluded from his duties, and the prime minister will consult with the party to manage state affairs."
Yoon sparked widespread outrage across the Asian nation on Tuesday when he granted emergency powers to the military, citing unfounded accusations that the nation’s opposition Democratic Party was involved in "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists."
The decree authorized the South Korean armed forces to limit gatherings, political activities, and media coverage, along with the capability to make warrantless arrests. However, lawmakers overturned these measures just two and a half hours after they were implemented.
