SEOUL – South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party submitted an impeachment motion against Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min on December 7, accusing him of involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law earlier this week.
The motion was presented to the National Assembly and reported during a plenary session, where a separate vote on the president’s impeachment was also scheduled. The vote on Minister Lee’s impeachment is expected to take place on December 10.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok alleged that Mr. Lee “conspired to plan the illegal martial law, distorted Cabinet proceedings, and defended the unlawful act.” Kim also warned of the potential for another martial law attempt and called for Lee’s authority under the Martial Law Act to be revoked.
This marks the second impeachment motion against Mr. Lee. In February 2023, the National Assembly impeached him over his handling of the Itaewon crowd crush, but the Constitutional Court overturned the decision in July, allowing him to resume his role.