What to know about South Korea and its short-lived but chaotic declaration of martial law

Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing parliamentary moves to impeach him after he sent heavily armed forces into Seoul’s streets with his baffling and sudden declaration of martial law that harkened to past dictatorships. Opposition parties submitted the impeachment motion hours after parliament unanimously voted to cancel Yoon’s declaration, forcing him to lift martial law about six hours after it began. Impeaching Yoon requires the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly and at least six of the nine Constitutional Court justices. The liberal opposition Democratic Party holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament and has called for Yoon’s resignation. A vote on his impeachment could come as early as Friday.