INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law only to reverse the
move hours later, triggering the biggest political crisis in decades in Asia&s fourth-largest economy.The surprise declaration late on
Tuesday ignited a standoff with parliament which rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media, as armed troops forced
their way into the National Assembly building in Seoul, Reuters reported.A coalition of lawmakers from opposition parties said they planned
to propose a bill to impeach Yoon on Wednesday which should be voted within 72 hours.The parliament should focus on immediately suspending
the president&s business to pass an impeachment bill soonest,& Hwang Un-ha, one of the MPs in the coalition, told reporters.The leader of
Yoon&s ruling People Power Party called for Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired and the entire cabinet to resign.Yoon told the nation
in a TV address late on Tuesday that martial law was needed to defend the country from nuclear-armed North Korea and pro-North anti-state
forces, and protect its free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats.Chaotic scenes ensued as helmeted troops climbed
into the parliament building through smashed windows and military helicopters hovered overhead
Parliamentary aides sprayed fire extinguishers to push the soldiers back, and protesters scuffled with police outside.The military said
activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, and that media and publishers would be under the control of the martial law
command.But within hours of the declaration, South Korea&s parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion
requiring martial law be lifted, including all 18 members present from Yoon&s party. The president then rescinded the
declaration.Protesters outside the National Assembly shouted and clapped
&We won!& they chanted, and one demonstrator banged on a drum.More protests are expected on Wednesday with South Korea&s largest union
coalition, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, planning to hold a rally in Seoul and vowing to strike until Yoon resigns.The United
States embassy urged United States citizens in South Korea to avoid areas where protests were taking place.The post South Korean lawmakers
call to impeach President Yoon after back-track on martial law first appeared on Ariana News.
