This procedural step paves the way for a vote on the motion later this week, posing a significant challenge to the embattled president's political future.
The motion, proposed by 191 lawmakers from six opposition parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and minor parties such as the Rebuilding Korea Party and the New Reform Party, was submitted to the National Assembly the previous day.
Under South Korean law, such a motion must be voted on within 72 hours of being tabled in a parliamentary session. This means the vote could take place as early as Friday or Saturday.
The proposers of the motion accuse Yoon of breaching the Constitution and other legal principles. They argue that Yoon's martial law declaration violated fundamental democratic values and freedom of speech by placing media and news outlets under martial law control and banning strikes and protests.
The Constitution stipulates that such a motion against the president must be proposed by a majority of the National Assembly members, and more than two-thirds of them or 200 lawmakers must vote in favor for it to pass.
With the DP holding a majority with 170 lawmakers in the National Assembly, the opposition bloc would still need about a dozen additional votes to reach the required two-thirds majority.
However, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been opposing the motion. The party's leader Han Dong-hoon, who was once a close aide to Yoon but has since become estranged, said Thursday that he will make every effort to block the passage of the motion.
"I will endeavor to ensure that the motion does not pass, as it could lead to unprepared chaos and harm to the public and our supporters," Han said during a party meeting. But he clarified that the decision is not intended to "defend" Yoon's "unconstitutional martial law."
Once the impeachment vote passes, Yoon's duties will be suspended immediately.
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