"Considering the newly revealed facts, it is necessary to immediately suspend Yoon's duties to protect the country and its people," Han said during an emergency party meeting on Friday.
Han elaborated that there is evidence showing that Yoon directed Yeo In-hyung, the head of the army's Defense Counterintelligence Command and Yoon's high school alumnus, to arrest several key political figures when he declared martial law. He added Yoon had also mobilized an intelligence agency to carry out these arrests.
Han also revealed that he had discovered Yeo's plans to detain them at a detention center in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.
"If Yoon continues to hold office, there is a significant risk of extreme actions, like the recent martial law, being repeated, which could put [South Korea] and its people in great danger," he said.
An impeachment motion against Yoon, following his short-lived martial law on Wednesday, was referred to the National Assembly's plenary session on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party announced it may push for a vote on the motion against the president at 5 p.m. on Saturday, two hours earlier than originally planned.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
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