Leaders of the ruling and opposition parties in South Korea called for the swift suspension of President Yoon Suk-yeols powers after his shock decision to impose martial law this week.
Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP), South Koreas governing party, urged on Friday the suspension of Yoon's powers, revealing that Yoon ordered the arrests of prominent politicians during his aborted martial law declaration.
He said that "newly emerging facts" had tipped the scales against the president.
"I learned last night the president ordered the defense counter-intelligence commander to arrest major political leaders, characterizing them as anti-state forces, and mobilized intelligence institutions in the process," Han said.
"Given the newly revealed facts, I believe it is necessary to promptly suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol from his duties to protect the Republic of Korea and its people," Han told an emergency meeting of the party's leadership at the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the main opposition leader said Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol's duties should be promptly suspended as he abused his power by declaring martial law this week.
Lee Jae-myung, the chief of the Democratic Party (DP), ratcheted up pressure against Yoon on the eve of a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion against the president over his martial law declaration Tuesday night.
South Korea was placed under martial law for about six hours on Tuesday night after Yoon announced the move in a surprise televised address to the nation in which he cited threats from "anti-state forces" and North Korean sympathizers.
The National Assembly quickly mobilized to overturn Yoons order in a 190-0 vote.