LOC11:24
08:24 GMT
SEOUL, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- South Korea's National Assembly is set to vote Saturday on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, over his attempt to impose martial law earlier this week, which left South Korea in political turmoil.
According to Yonhap news agency on Saturday, the plenary session for the motion will be held at 5 pm local time, yet it remains unclear whether the motion submitted by opposition lawmakers will get the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Earlier on Friday, Yoon delivered a nationally televised apology for the public anxiety caused by his botched attempt Tuesday night, while pledging not to make such an attempt again.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and five other minor opposition parties earlier submitted the motion, arguing Yoon's martial law declaration constituted violations of the constitution and other laws, Yonhap said. The opposition bloc holds 192 seats out of the National Assembly's 300 members, it added.
Meanwhile, the agency noted that s two-thirds majority is required to pass the motion, which would need support from at least eight lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP).
Earlier on Saturday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said it has become inevitable for Yoon to step down early, adding the president is no longer in a position to perform his duties effectively, Yonhap reported.
If the motion is passed, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office, it added.
If upheld by the court, Yoon would be the second president in South Korea's history to be removed from office through impeachment, after former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. (end)
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