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.



Blast at Turkish Armament Factory Kills at Least 12

This handout image released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on December 24, 2024, shows the moment of an explosion in Balikesir. (Photo by DHA / AFP)
This handout image released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on December 24, 2024, shows the moment of an explosion in Balikesir. (Photo by DHA / AFP)
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Blast at Turkish Armament Factory Kills at Least 12

This handout image released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on December 24, 2024, shows the moment of an explosion in Balikesir. (Photo by DHA / AFP)
This handout image released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on December 24, 2024, shows the moment of an explosion in Balikesir. (Photo by DHA / AFP)

An explosion at an armament factory in northwest Türkiye left at least 12 dead and four injured Tuesday morning.

The blast occurred in the capsule production facility of the factory located in the province of Balikesir, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu said the explosion collapsed the capsule production building and that the surrounding buildings sustained minor damage.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc wrote on social media platform X that four public prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the cause of the explosion.