The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea 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, APA reports citing Yonhap.
The plenary session for the motion will be held at 5 p.m., yet it remains unclear whether the motion submitted by opposition lawmakers will get the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Earlier in the day, 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.
The opposition bloc holds 192 seats out of the National Assembly's 300 members.
A 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).
The PPP has said it will not change its party policy to oppose the impeachment motion.
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.
The comments followed Yoon's national address, where he said he would entrust the matter of his term to the PPP.
Among the PPP lawmakers, Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae on Friday publicly expressed his support for Yoon's impeachment, the first such case for a ruling party lawmaker.
Cho, however, appears to have reversed his decision on a presidential impeachment vote following Yoon's public apology Saturday.
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