South Korea’s Opposition Urges Swift Removal of Impeached President

15 December 2024, South Korea, Seoul: The main South Korean opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly, a day after the Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law declaration. Photo: -/YNA/dpa
15 December 2024, South Korea, Seoul: The main South Korean opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly, a day after the Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law declaration. Photo: -/YNA/dpa
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South Korea’s Opposition Urges Swift Removal of Impeached President

15 December 2024, South Korea, Seoul: The main South Korean opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly, a day after the Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law declaration. Photo: -/YNA/dpa
15 December 2024, South Korea, Seoul: The main South Korean opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly, a day after the Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law declaration. Photo: -/YNA/dpa

South Korea's opposition leader urged a top court on Sunday to swiftly formalize the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and ease the "suffering of the people" after his short-lived martial law decree.

Lawmakers voted on Saturday to remove Yoon from office over his "insurrectionary" suspension of civilian rule, which plunged South Korea into some of its worst political turmoil in years.

Yoon has been suspended while South Korea's Constitutional Court deliberates, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as interim leader.

The court has 180 days to rule on Yoon's future.

But opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Sunday urged the judges to "swiftly" remove Yoon from office.

"This is the only way to minimize national turmoil and alleviate the suffering of the people," he said.

"To hold those responsible for this absurd situation accountable and to prevent its recurrence, it is essential to uncover the truth and demand accountability."

An investigation into Yoon's inner circle over last week's martial law declaration has also rumbled on.

On Sunday, prosecutors said they were seeking an arrest warrant for the head of the Army Special Warfare Command Kwak Jong-keun, Yonhap news agency said.

Kwak is accused of sending special forces troops to the country's parliament during the failed martial law bid -- sparking a dramatic confrontation between soldiers and parliamentary staff.

And on Saturday, police arrested Yeo In-hyung, head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, on charges including insurrection.



China Says Philippine Plan to Deploy Midrange Missiles Would Be 'Extremely Irresponsible'

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
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China Says Philippine Plan to Deploy Midrange Missiles Would Be 'Extremely Irresponsible'

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)

China said a plan by the Philippines to deploy midrange missiles would be a provocative move that stokes regional tensions.
The Philippines top army official told reporters in Manila earlier on Monday that the military plans to acquire a midrange system to defend the country’s territory amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.
“Yes, there are plans, there are negotiations, because we see its feasibility and adaptability,” Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said.
The US deployed its Typhon midrange missile system in the northern Philippines in April and troops from both countries have been training jointly for the potential use of the heavy weaponry.
China opposes US military assistance to the Philippines and has been particularly alarmed by the deployment of the Typhon system. Under President Joe Biden, the US has strengthened an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China, including in any confrontation over Taiwan.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that deployment of the weapon by the Philippines would intensify geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.
“It is an extremely irresponsible choice for the history and people of itself and the whole of Southeast Asia, as well as for the security of the region,” she told a daily briefing.
The Philippines would not necessarily buy the Typhon system, Galido said.
The army is working not only with the United States but with other friendly countries on a long list of weapons platforms that it plans to acquire, he said.
The Philippines defense plan includes protecting its exclusive economic zone, which reaches 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers).
“It is paramount for the army to be able to project its force up to that extent, in coordination, of course, with the Philippine navy and the Philippine air force," Galido said.