South Korean defence ministry on Monday revealed that over 1,500 troops were deployed during the December 3 martial law imposed by now impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Meanwhile, a constitutional court began reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon on Monday over his attempt to implement martial law, according to a court spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Yoon and several senior officials are under investigation for potential charges of insurrection related to the brief martial law.
‘Don’t regret supporting impeachment’: South Korean ruling party leader Han
South Korea ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon announced on Monday that he was stepping down and added that he did not regret supporting President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment despite backlash from his party.
“I step down as the leader of the People Power Party,” he said, adding, “I sincerely apologise to all the people who have suffered due to the emergency martial law incident.”
Han spoke with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, reaffirming the strength of bilateral relations. In response to rising tensions, Han also instructed the military to “enhance vigilance” against North Korea, with which South Korea remains technically at war.
‘Ringleader of rebellion’
In a first reaction after President Yoon’s impeachment, North Korean state media slammed him by calling him “ringleader of rebellion”.
Pyongyang’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol had attempted to shift responsibility for the “foolish emergency martial law declaration” onto opposition parties.
“The investigation into puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, and his accomplices is under way,” KCNA said.
“The puppet Constitutional Court will finally decide” on his impeachment, it added.
North Korean state media frequently refers to South Korea’s leaders and institutions as a “puppet” of its treaty ally, the United States.
Lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his “insurrectionary” suspension of civilian rule, a move that, though lasting only hours, led to some of the worst political turmoil in South Korea in years. While the constitutional court deliberates the impeachment, Yoon has been suspended from office, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as interim leader.