South Korea passes Bill to probe President Yoon over Martial Law decree
SEOUL: South Korean lawmakers have passed a Bill that seeks to appoint a special counsel to probe President Yoon Suk Yeol over failed martial law.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
The Bill requests the appointment of a special prosecutor to “determine the truth about the internal rebellion through the unconstitutional declaration of martial law,” according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News on Tuesday.
At least 210 lawmakers voted in favour, 63 against, while 14 members abstained out of 287 Parliamentarians who attended the session.
The lawmakers also demanded the “immediate arrest” of Yoon and other accused behind the botched-up martial law.
The Bill came after Yoon survived the first impeachment motion last week when the 300-seat Parliament fell short of a quorum of 200 lawmakers.
While the opposition bloc has 192 lawmakers, any impeachment motion against Yoon needs the support of at least eight lawmakers to succeed.
While the ruling People Power Party has announced measures to lead toward an early resignation of Yoon to avoid impeachment, the opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party is mulling a second vote to oust the President over the weekend.
Yoon has also become the first sitting President to face treason charges, as well as travel ban.
Early Tuesday, police summoned Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and several of his colleagues, for questioning to probe into the failed martial law. Police have called the head of the National Intelligence Service for questioning to probe the details of a Cabinet meeting held before Yoon declared martial law on the night of December 3.
“If the accused refuses to appear, we will promptly proceed with legal measures, including forced investigation,” an official from the prosecutor’s office said. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who was detained on Sunday, skipped a personal appearance on Tuesday at a court for his arrest warrant hearing. He faces charges of alleged treason. (TRT WORLD)
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